Methods for preparing conjugated dienes are described. An α,β-unsaturated E olefin intermediate may be prepared via cross-metathesis using a catalyst comprising a transition metal (e.g., ruthenium), a first carbene ligand (e.g., a substituted indenylidene) and an N-heterocyclic carbene ligand (e.g., an imidazolidinylidene). The catalyst further includes a phenylphosphine ligand, a tri(isopropoxy)phosphine ligand, a dimethylsulfoxide ligand, an acetonitrile ligand, or a pyridine ligand. Following the cross metathesis-step, the α,β-unsaturated aldehyde intermediate may be converted to the conjugated diene product via reaction with a phosphonium ylide. Products obtained via the methods of the disclosure include (7E,9Z)-dodeca-7,9-dien-1-yl acetate, a pheromone produced by Lobesia botrana (European grapevine moth), and other insect pheromones.

The present invention provides a process for preparing 6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-9-decenyl acetate (5): wherein Ac represents an acetyl group, the process comprising steps of: subjecting a 2-methyl-2,6-heptadiene compound (1) having a leaving group X at position 1: wherein X represents an acyloxy group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms including the carbon atom of the carbonyl group, an alkanesulfonyloxy group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an arenesulfonyloxy group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, or a halogen atom, to a nucleophilic substitution reaction with a 3-methylpentyl nucleophilic reagent (2) having a protected hydroxyl group at position 5: wherein M represents Li, MgZ.sup.1, ZnZ.sup.1, Cu, CuZ.sup.1, or CuLiZ.sup.1, wherein Z.sup.1 represents a halogen atom or a CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH(CH.sub.3)CH.sub.2CH.sub.2OR group, and R represents a protecting group for a hydroxyl group, to form a 6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-9-decene compound (3) having a protected hydroxyl group at position 1: wherein R is as defined above; subjecting the 6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-9-decene compound (3) having the protected hydroxyl group at position 1 to a deprotection reaction to form 6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-9-decenol (4); and acetylating 6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-9-decenol (4) to form 6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-9-decenyl acetate (5).

##STR00001##

The present invention provides a process for preparing 6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-9-decenyl acetate (5): wherein Ac represents an acetyl group, the process comprising steps of: subjecting a 2-methyl-2,6-heptadiene compound (1) having a leaving group X at position 1: wherein X represents an acyloxy group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms including the carbon atom of the carbonyl group, an alkanesulfonyloxy group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an arenesulfonyloxy group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, or a halogen atom, to a nucleophilic substitution reaction with a 3-methylpentyl nucleophilic reagent (2) having a protected hydroxyl group at position 5: wherein M represents Li, MgZ.sup.1, ZnZ.sup.1, Cu, CuZ.sup.1, or CuLiZ.sup.1, wherein Z.sup.1 represents a halogen atom or a CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH(CH.sub.3)CH.sub.2CH.sub.2OR group, and R represents a protecting group for a hydroxyl group, to form a 6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-9-decene compound (3) having a protected hydroxyl group at position 1: wherein R is as defined above; subjecting the 6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-9-decene compound (3) having the protected hydroxyl group at position 1 to a deprotection reaction to form 6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-9-decenol (4); and acetylating 6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-9-decenol (4) to form 6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-9-decenyl acetate (5).

##STR00001##

The present invention relates to the compound (4,5,5-trimethyl-3-methylenecyclopent-1-en-1-yl)methyl acetate and to an attractant composition for insects of the species Delottococcus aberiae comprising said compound. The present invention also relates to an attractant device for Delottococcus aberiae comprising said compound or said composition, and to a method for the control and/or monitoring of the populations of insects of the species Delottococcus aberiae.

The present invention relates to the compound (4,5,5-trimethyl-3-methylenecyclopent-1-en-1-yl)methyl acetate and to an attractant composition for insects of the species Delottococcus aberiae comprising said compound. The present invention also relates to an attractant device for Delottococcus aberiae comprising said compound or said composition, and to a method for the control and/or monitoring of the populations of insects of the species Delottococcus aberiae.

The present invention relates to the use of an ether or an ester of a 1-substituted cycloalkanol or of mixtures of two or more ethers or esters of 1-substituted cycloalkanols or of a stereoisomer thereof or of a mixture of two or more stereoisomers thereof as aroma chemicals; to the use thereof for modifying the scent character of a fragranced composition; to an aroma chemical composition containing an ether or an ester of a 1-substituted cycloalkanol or of mixtures of two or more ethers or esters of 1-substituted cycloalkanols or of a stereoisomer thereof or of a mixture of two or more stereoisomers thereof; and to a method of preparing a fragranced composition or for modifying the scent character of a fragranced composition. The invention further relates to specific ethers or esters of 1-substituted cycloalkanols.

In one aspect, the invention provides a method for synthesizing a fatty olefin derivative. The method includes: a) contacting an olefin according to Formula I ##STR00001##
with a metathesis reaction partner according to Formula IIb ##STR00002##
in the presence of a metathesis catalyst under conditions sufficient to form a metathesis product according to Formula IIIb: ##STR00003##
and
b) converting the metathesis product to the fatty olefin derivative. Each R.sup.1 is independently selected from H, C.sub.1-18 alkyl, and C.sub.2-18 alkenyl; R.sup.2b is C.sub.1-8 alkyl; subscript y is an integer ranging from 0 to 17; and subscript z is an integer ranging from 0 to 17. In certain embodiments, the metathesis catalyst is a tungsten catalyst or a molybdenum catalyst. In various embodiments, the fatty olefin derivative is a pheromone. Pheromone compositions and methods of using them are also described.

In one aspect, the invention provides a method for synthesizing a fatty olefin derivative. The method includes: a) contacting an olefin according to Formula I ##STR00001##
with a metathesis reaction partner according to Formula IIb ##STR00002##
in the presence of a metathesis catalyst under conditions sufficient to form a metathesis product according to Formula IIIb: ##STR00003##
and
b) converting the metathesis product to the fatty olefin derivative. Each R.sup.1 is independently selected from H, C.sub.1-18 alkyl, and C.sub.2-18 alkenyl; R.sup.2b is C.sub.1-8 alkyl; subscript y is an integer ranging from 0 to 17; and subscript z is an integer ranging from 0 to 17. In certain embodiments, the metathesis catalyst is a tungsten catalyst or a molybdenum catalyst. In various embodiments, the fatty olefin derivative is a pheromone. Pheromone compositions and methods of using them are also described.

An in-situ method for making a conjugated diene from an allyl alcohol comprising the conversion of the allyl alcohol to an allyl carbonate, allyl ester or allyl formate with concomitant or subsequent conversion of the allyl carbonate, allyl ester or allyl formate to the conjugated diene; the products obtained by said method, and the uses of said products.

An in-situ method for making a conjugated diene from an allyl alcohol comprising the conversion of the allyl alcohol to an allyl carbonate, allyl ester or allyl formate with concomitant or subsequent conversion of the allyl carbonate, allyl ester or allyl formate to the conjugated diene; the products obtained by said method, and the uses of said products.