Synthesis of (2s, 3r, 7rs)-stegobinone [2,3-dihydro-2,3,5-trimethyl-6-(1-methyl-2- oxobutyl)-4h-pyran-4-one] and its (2r, 3s, 7rs)-isomer : The pheromone of the drugstore beetle

Reaction of acetaldehyde with the trianion of 4,6-dimethylnonane-3,5,7-trione followed by acidification yielded a stereoisomeric mixture of stegobinone, the pheromone of Stegobium paniceum L. Acylation of the dianion derived from 4-methylheptane-3,5-dione with a mixed anhydride prepared from (2R, 3S)-3-hydroxy-2-methylbutanoic acid or its enantiomer led to (2S,3R,7RS)- or (2R, 3S, 7RS)-stegobinone. The natural pheromone possesses (2S,3R)-stereochemistry.