Concise Synthesis of (3Z)-Dodecen-12-olide,Pheromone Component of the Emerald Ash Borer

Emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, is an invasive insect that has killed millions of ash trees in Canada and the USA. (3Z)-Dodecen-12-olide is a known female-produced pheromone of this insect, and a concise, three-step synthesis of a 2:1 blend of (3Z)-dodecen-12-olide and (3E)-dodecen-12-olide starting from commercially available (2-carboxyethyl)triphenylphosphonium bromide and 10-bromo-1-decene is described. The key steps in this synthesis are a lithium-salt-free Wittig reaction and an intramolecular S_N2 esterification. Both of these macrocyclic lactones are behaviorally active toward EAB, and the 2:1 blend whose synthesis is described here has the potential to be a detection agent, mating disruptor, or mass trapping agent, which could be used in the control of EAB.     

Synthesis of chiral alkenyl epoxides: the sex pheromone of the elm spanworm Ennomus subsignaria (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)

The identification of the sex pheromone of the elm spanworm Ennomos subsignaria (Hübner), as the chiral alkenyl epoxide (6Z)-cis-9,10-epoxy-nonadecene has been accomplished. Both enantiomers of (6Z)-cis-9,10-epoxy-nonadecene have been synthesized via two routes. The key steps in the first route were to prepare both threo-epoxy tosylates and then to perform an alkylative rearrangement of these intermediates to obtain the target molecules. An alternative enantioenriched synthesis that took advantage of the Sharpless dihydroxylation reaction was developed so that a common starting material could be used to access both enantiomers. A field study and GC/EAD testing indicated that Z6-cis-9S,10R-epoxy-nonadecene was the sex pheromone of the elm spanworm E. subsignaria (Hübner).     

Studies in stereoselective [2+2]-cycloadditions with dichloroketene

During the investigation of the reaction of dichloroketene with cyclic enoxy-lactones and acyclic enoxy-ester substrates it was found that only the acylic variants effectively participated in the [2+2]-cycloaddition. Although a complete understanding of the reasons for this are lacking, molecular mechanics calculations do suggest that an out of plane twist of the cabonyl group in the acyclic compounds may be partially responsible. After screening a variety of chiral auxiliaries it was found that useful levels of diastereoselectivity (2.6-10.8:1) could be obtained in this cycloaddition reaction when (R)-2,2-diphenylcyclopentanol was used as the chiral auxiliary.     

Synthesis of 9-geranylterpinolene as a mixture of isomers,and synthesis of α- and β-springene,possible kairomones of the beech leaf-mining weevil,Orchestes fagi (L.)

The beech leaf-mining weevil, Orchestes fagi (L.), also known as the beech flea weevil, is a common and widespread pest of beech, Fagus sylvatica L., in its native Europe. It now appears to be well established in Nova Scotia, Canada. We have previously reported the synthesis of 9-geranyl-p-cymene and 9-geranyl-α-terpinene, as they are both found in eclosing beech buds, and have researched the synthesis of other diterpenes that are isomers of 9-geranyl-α-terpinene. We now wish to report a synthesis of the diterpene 9-geranylterpinolene as a mixture of isomers, as a novel diterpene, and as a possible kairomone of O. fagi. Also, all trans-α-springene, its 3Z-isomer, and β-springene were synthesized as a mixture, as well as pure β-springene, utilizing known methods.     

Efficient One-Pot,Four-Component Synthesis of 1,2,3-Triazole-Linked Tetrahydrobenzo[b]pyrans

A one-pot procedure has been developed for the synthesis of (1,2,3-triazolyl) methoxyphenyl tetrahydro-5-oxo-4H-chromene derivatives by concurrent reaction of aryloxy propargylated aldehydes, various azides, active methylene compounds, and 1,3-cyclohexanediones using catalytic amounts of Cu(OAc)₂ / sodium ascorbate and diammonium hydrogen phosphate in aqueous ethanol media. Excellent conversion of starting materials was achieved to the desired (1,2,3-triazolyl) methoxyphenyl tetrahydro-5-oxo-4H-chromene products.     

Synthesis of three putative kairomones of the beech leaf-mining weevil Orchestes fagi (L.)

The beech leaf-mining weevil, Orchestes fagi (L.), also known as the beech flea weevil, is a common and widespread pest of beech, Fagus sylvatica L., in its native Europe. It now appears to be well established in Nova Scotia, Canada. We report a novel synthesis of 9-geranyl-p-cymene and syntheses of 9-geranyl-α-terpinene and 1,1-dimethyl-3-methylene-2-vinylcyclohexane, making partial use of known methods. All three of these compounds are found in beech leaf volatiles and/or wood and are putative kairomones of the beech leaf-mining weevil.     

New Convenient Five‐Component One‐Pot Synthesis of 3‐Alkyl‐6‐amino‐1,4‐dihydro‐4‐{[(1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)methoxy]phenyl}pyrano[2,3‐c]pyrazole‐5‐carbonitrile Derivatives

3‐Alkyl‐6‐amino‐1,4‐dihydro‐4‐{[(1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)methoxy]phenyl}pyrano[2,3‐c]pyrazole‐5‐carbonitrile derivatives were synthesized through a one‐pot five‐component condensation reaction.     

Combining click-multicomponent reaction: one-pot synthesis of triazolyl methoxy-phenyl indazolo[2,1-b]phthalazine-trione derivatives

[(1,2,3-Triazol-4-yl)methoxy-phenyl]-2H-indazolo[2,1-b]phthalazine-trione derivatives were synthesized in a simple and efficient method from the one-pot four-component condensation reaction of phthalhydrazide, aromatic propargyloxy aldehydes, active methylene compounds (dimedone and 1,3-cyclohexanedione), and azides in the presence of Cu(OAc)(2)/sodium ascorbate and p-toluenesulfonic acid as catalysts in good to excellent yields.     

Synthesis of (3E)-Dodecen-12-olide,a Potential Pheromone Component of the Emerald Ash Borer

Emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, is an invasive insect that has killed millions of ash trees in the USA and Canada. A concise synthesis of a potential EAB pheromone component, (3E)-dodecen-12-olide, using highly stereoselective Julia–Kocienski olefination as the key step, is reported.

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