Synthesis of (E)-3,9-dimethyl-6-isopropyl-5,8-decadien-1-yl acetate,the sex pheromone of the yellow scale

Synthesis of adefinable mixture of the racemicZ andE isomers of 3,9-dimethyl-6-isopropyl-5,8-decadien-1-yl acetate has been achieved. Comparison of these isomers with the natural pheromone of the yellow scale,Aonidiella citrina (Coquillett) resulted in the identification of the pheromone as (E)-3,9-dimethyl-6-isopropyl-5,8-decadien-1-yl acetate. Aonidiella citrina (Coquillett) (Homoptera: Diaspididae).Contribution No. 69 from the Research Laboratory of Zoecon Corporation.