New synthesis of ( E )-3,7-dimethyl-2,7-octadienylpropionate and ( E )-3,7-dimethyl-2-octen-1,8-diol, pheromone components of San Jose scaleinsect Quadraspidiotus pernicious and african monarch butterfly Danaus chrysippus

6-Methyl-6-hepten-2-one (3) on reaction with ethyl α-dimethylphosphonate/NaH gives a mixture of (E)-and (Z)-conjugated esters. The major (E)-isomer, (E)-ethyl-3,7-dimethyl-2,7-octadienoate (4), on reduction with LiAlH₄ at room temperature furnishes (E)-3,7-dimethyl-2,7-octadien-l-ol (5) which on propionylation affords (E)-3,7-dimethyl-2,7-octadienyl propionate (1). Carbinol (5) is converted into its silyl ether (E)-2,6-dimethyl-8-t-butyldimethylsilyloxy-l,6-octadiene (6) witht-Bu(Me)₂SiCl in CH₂Cl₂, which on hydroboronation-oxidation with 9-BBN/NaOH-H₂O₂ followed by disilylalion with (n-Bu)₄N⁺ F⁻ at room temperature, gives (E)-3,7-dimethyl-2-octen-l,8-diol (2).