Short and Stereoselective Synthesis of (E)-3-alkenyl Acetates, Insect Sex Pheromone Constituents of Lepidoptera; Gelechidae

(E)-3-alkenyl acetates, which are insect sex pheromone constituents, have been prepared from linear saturated aldehydes, by a short three steps process, via the (E)-3-alkenoic acids and the corresponding (E)-3-alkenols, in good overall yield (60–65%) and high stereochemical purity (>99%).