Synthesis of all the stereoisomers of 13,17-dimethyl-1-tritriacontene and 13,17-dimethyl-1-pentatriacontene, the contact sex pheromone components of the female tsetse fly, Glossina austeni

All of the stereoisomers of 13,17-dimethyl-1-tritriacontene (1) and 13,17-d imethyl-1-pentatriacontene (2), the contact Sex pheromone components of the female tsetse fly (Glossina austeni), were synthesized starting from the e nantiomers of the protected syn- and anti-2,6-dimethylheptane-1,7-diol (3), which were prepared from the enantiomers of methyl 3-hydroxy-2-methylpropa noate (4) and methyl phenyl sulfone (5).