The synthetic procedures for spilanthol and trail-followingpheromone for a southernsubterraneantermite were described. The syntheses heavily depend on the new diene synthesis using titanium reagent.
potassium disilazide as the base gives (Z)-3-alkenoate predominantly. A trail-followingpheromone for subterraneantermites is synthesized stereoselectively with this method. Deconjugative protonation of trienolates from (E,E)-2,4-tetradecadienoates gives (E,Z)-3,5-tetradecanoates which is hydrolyzed to give Megatomoic acid, a sex pheromone for a black carpet beetle Attagenus megatoma.