Synthesis and characterization of diepoxyalkenes derived from (3Z,6Z,9Z)-trienes: lymantriid sex pheromones and their candidates.

All stereoisomers of three diepoxyalkenes derived from (3Z,6Z,9Z)-trienes with a C21, C19, or C18 straight chain, lymantriid sex pheromones and their candidates, were synthesized by MCPBA oxidation of optically active epoxyalkadienes. Their chromatographic behaviors were examined with GC and LC equipped with achiral and chiral columns. Detailed inspection of the mass spectra of these epoxides indicated the following diagnostic ions for determining the chemical structures: m/z 128, 167, M-87 and M-85 for (Z)-cis-3,4-cis-6,7-diepoxy-9-enes; m/z 111, M-125 and M-69 for (Z)-cis-6,7-cis-9,10-diepoxy-3-enes; and m/z M-125 and M-139 for (Z)-cis-3,4-cis-9,10-diepoxy-6-enes. Mass chromatographic analysis that monitored these fragment ions revealed the existence of a new pheromonal compound with a C21 chain in an extract from virgin females of a lymantriid species, Perina nuda F. The three diepoxyalkenes were converted into the corresponding DMDS adducts, which showed characteristic ions from fragmentation between the two thiomethyl groups, reflecting the position of an original double bond.