Synthetic routes to trace constituents of algal pheromone bouqets and other information-imitating substances

Structural modifications of multifidene ( 1 ), viridiene ( 2 ) and ectocarpene ( 5 ) led to the synthesis of eleven new pheromone components or imitatin substances mostly by Grignard alkylation of cyclopentene and cycloheptadiene synthons. A new lactone α,ω dienol conversion is reported.