Total synthesis of (6R,12R)-6,12-dimethylpentadecan-2-one, the sex pheromone of Diabrotica balteata LeConte.

Diabrotica balteata LeConte is one of the most important polyphagous agricultural pests. The sex pheromone of this pest was synthesized using Evans asymmetric alkylation, ring-opening reaction of (R)-2-methyloxirane, S N 2 alkylation of secondary tosylate, and coupling of chiral tosylate with Grignard reagent as central strategies. The sex pheromone prepared herein would be useful to control D. balteata.