Total Synthesis of (2 R ,6 R ,10 R )‐6,10,14‐Trimethylpentadecan‐2‐ol, Major Component of the Courtship Pheromone of Aphomia sociella

ABSTRACT Aphomia sociella is a common parasite of bumblebee colonies. The major component of its courtship pheromone, (2 R ,6 R ,10 R )‐6,10,14‐trimethylpentadecan‐2‐ol, was prepared from two chiral sources of ( R )‐citronellol and ( R )‐propylene oxide. The chiral methyl at C6 was introduced through Evans’ chiral auxiliaries, and two chiral blocks were assembled by Wittig coupling. The target pheromone was obtained in 10‐step longest sequence and 26% overall yield. The synthetic pheromone would be used for the future management of the bumblebee wax moth.