Trail-marking

The carbometallation of alkynes is also unique in its stereochemical pattern, since it is executed as an exclusive cis addition. For example, the stereoisomeric purity of pheromone 104, prepared as shown, is higher than 99.9% This feature is of special importance in the synthesis of natural pheromones, as the biological activity of these compounds is dramatically affected by the presence of an even negligible amount (less than 0.5% ) of the undesirable stereoisomer. Not surprisingly, this reaction has found numerous areas of application, especially in the stereospecific synthesis of the tri- and tetrasubstituted alkenes, a goal difficult to achieve by other methods. To illustrate the effectiveness of this approach, the synthesis of faranal 105, the trail-marking pheromone of the ant species Monomoriumpharaonis, is shown in Scheme 2.33. 

Trail-marking has great benefits, but also perils being shown a direction can make it more difficult to leave the pathway. It is my hope that you will have found something here that engages you, a flash that persuades you off the path and into the forest. 

Aggregation Pheromones Trail-Marking Pheromones Alarm Pheromones Synomones Allelopathy... 

Antifeedant Compounds Insecticidal and Nematicidal Activity Diterpenes with Juvenile Hormone Activity Diterpenes That Prevent Reproduction in Insects Trail-Marking Pheromones Diterpenes from Marine Plants Sweeteners Medicinal Properties Antitumor Compounds Sesterterpenes Biosynthesis Biological Activity References... 

Cembrene derivatives also are found in some termites of the genus Nasutitermes, where they may play a role as trail-marking pheromones (Nahrstedt, 1982). 

Peterson, S. C., Chemical trail marking and following by caterpillars of Malacosoma neustria, J. Chem. Ecol., 14. 815-824 (1988). 

Weyh, R. and Maschwitz, U. (1982) Individual trail marking by larvae of the scarce swallowtail Iphiclides podalirius L. (Lepidoptera Papilionidae). Oecologia, 52, 415-6. 

---