Chemical conversion of 9-tetradecen-1-ol acetates to 3,13-octadecadien-1-ol acetates,sex attractants for male clearwing moths (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae)

Males of many species of clearwing moths are attracted by one of the geometrical isomers of 3,13-octadecadien-1-ol acetate or by a mixture of isomers. The synthesis of (E,Z)-, (E,E)-, and (Z,E)-3,13-octadecadien-1-ol acetate is described starting with the (Z)- and (E)-9-tetraceden-1-ol acetates, which are commercially obtainable.