Synthesis of the racemate of (Z)-exo-alpha-bergamotenal, a pheromone component of the white-spotted spined bug, Eysarcoris parvus Uhler.

The racemate of (Z)-exo-alpha-bergamotenal, a sex pheromone component of the white-spotted spined bug, was synthesized from racemic exo-alpha-bergamotene by a five-step sequence involving regioselective epoxidation and (Z)-selective Wittig olefination reactions. The 1H- and 13C-NMR spectra of the synthetic sample were identical with those of the natural material.