Alkenes in Nature Insect Pheromones

Oxidation of ethene with oxygen in the presence of silver furnishes oxacyclopropane (ethylene oxide), the hydrolysis of which gives 1,2-ethanediol (ethylene glycol) (Section 9-11). Hydration of ethene gives ethanol (Section 9-11). 

In Summary Ethene is a valuable source of various industrial raw materials, including ethanol, 1,2-ethanediol (ethylene glycol), and several important monomers for the polymer industry. 

Many natural products contain tt bonds several were mentioned in Sections 4-7 and 9-11. This section describes a specific group of naturally occurring alkenes, the insect pheromones (pherein, Greek, to bear hormon, Greek, to stimulate). 

This pheromone trap removes the males of the pea moth Cydia nigricana from circulation. 

Alkene Metathesis Transposes the Termini of Two Alkenes Construction of Rings 

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