An efficient synthesis of muscalure from jojoba oil or oleyl alcohol

A four-step synthesis of (Z)-9-tricosene (muscalure), a component of the pheromone of the housefly, from jojoba oil (or three-step from oleyl alcohol) by 3-carbon (or 5-carbon) unit elongation was developed in overall high yield. The sequence of reactions and the purity of the products could be easily followed, with relatively good accuracy, by NMR technique.