Synthesis of the four stereoisomers of 3,12-dimethylheptacosane, (Z)-9-pentacosene and (Z)-9-heptacosene, the cuticular hydrocarbons of the ant, Diacamma sp..

All of the four stereoisomers of 3,12-dimethylheptacosane were synthesized from the enantiomers of citronellal. (Z)-9-Pentacosene and (Z)-9-heptacosene were also synthesized. These hydrocarbons are the characteristic components of the cuticular hydrocarbons of the queen of the ant, Diacamma sp..