A short and efficient enantioselective synthesis of (+) and (-)-(Z)-7,15-hexadecadien-4-olide: the sex pheromone of the yellowish elongate chafer, Heptophylla picea

the (r) and the (s) enantiomers of the z-7,15-hexadecadien-4-olide (4), the sex pheromone of heptophylla picea, were synthesized. a known lipase-catalysed enantiolactonization in the key step afforded a common precursor for both enantiomers of the pheromone in 92% e.e.