Abstract: Reaction mixtures and methods using catalysts and reaction conditions to produce significantly improved yields (and thereby higher purity) of olefin metathesis products, with greatly reduced amounts of impurities. These techniques include in one instance reduction in temperature of reaction, and in another, the use of chemical compounds that act as reaction inhibitors of unwanted reactions to minimize or prevent formation of unwanted impurities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to metathesis syntheses for insect sex-attractant pheromones or their components, such as E-5-decenyl acetate, the major component of the Peach Twig Borer pheromone; (5R,6S)-6-acetoxy-5-hexadecanolide, the mosquito oviposition attractant pheromone; E9,Z11-hexadecadienal, the pecan nut casebearer moth pheromone; 9-tetradecenyl formate, an analog of the Diamondback Moth (DBM) pheromone; 11-tetradecenyl acetate, the Omnivorous Leafroller (OLR) pheromone; E-4-tridecenyl acetate, the major component of the Tomato Pinworm (TPW) pheromone; E,E-8,10-dodecadienol, the Codling Moth (CM) pheromone. The syntheses preferably employ a Class I-IV metathesis catalyst, entail few reaction steps, use generally commercially available starting materials, and have relatively short process times. These syntheses produce good yields without the need for expensive or sophisticated equipment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to syntheses of 5-decenyl acetate, the major component in Peach Twig Borer pheromone, and other pheromone components. The syntheses entails few reaction steps, use commercially available starting materials, and have relatively short process times. A preferred embodiment of the syntheses involves self-metathesizing 1-hexene in the presence of Grubbs' catalyst, [(PCy3)2Cl2]Ru═CHPh. The resulting 5-decene is then reacted with an alcohol or acetate protected hexene under vacuum to yield 5-decenyl acetate. These syntheses produce good yields without the need for expensive or sophisticated equipment.