New Process for Synthesis of Insect Pheromones

This proposal is direct toward the development of a new, low-cost process for synthesizing insect pheromones. This process is based on the use of a novel, environmentally benign method using transition-metal catalysts, which should result in high yields of high-purity products. The use of pheromones for insect control has been commerically practiced for 20 years via a technique known as mating disruption. Pheromones have several advantages over conventional insecticides: low toxicity, high target specificity, low usage rates, and relatively rapid regulatory approval. Although they are used at rates of only a few grams per acre, they are expensive chemicals, which has limited their widespread use in agriculture. The goal of this program is to develop a new synthesis method that can be used to produce pheromones for less than one-quarter the cost of conventional synthesis methods. In the Phase I program, we will demonstrate the feasibility of using this new process to synthesize the codling moth pheromone. This program will include an analysis of economics and field demonstration of pheromone purity. If the Phase I program is successful, a detailed synthesis/separation process will be designed for development and demonstration at scale in Phase II.