Concise Syntheses of Insect Pheromones Using Z-Selective Cross Metathesis

The use of insect sex pheromones to limit specifically targeted pest populations has gained increasing popularity as a viable, safe, and environmentally friendly alternative to insecticides. While broad-spectrum insecticides are toxic compounds that have been shown to adversely affect human health,[1] extensive studies have shown that insect pheromones are nontoxic and safe for human consumption at the levels used in pest control practices.[2] Female sex pheromones are mainly employed in pest control in a process termed mating disruption. This involves dispersing pheromones over a large area, overloading the sensory organs of male insects and preventing them from locating and mating with females who are releasing a much smaller amount of the same pheromone blends; this strategy has proven to reduce specific insect populations dramatically.[3] To date, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved approximately twenty lepidopteran female sex pheromones as active ingredients for pest control.[2