Improved Synthesis of (3<i>E</i>,7<i>Z</i>)-3,7-Tetradecadienyl Acetate, the Major Sex Pheromone Constituent of the Potato Pest <i>Symmetrischema tangolias</i> (Gyen)
An efficient six-step synthesis of (3E,7Z)-3,7-tetradecadienyl acetate, the major component of the sexpheromone of the potato pest Symmetrischema tangolias (Gyen), is described, starting from the commercially available dihydropyran. The stereoselective formation of the 7Z double bond is accomplished by a Wittigreaction, while the 3E double bond is formed by a modified Knoevenagel condensation. The