A Convenient Method for the Synthesis of Acyclic Ketones. Synthesis of Sex Pheromone of Douglas Fir Tussock Moth

Abstract
(α-Alkyl-α-methylthio)alkyl p-tolyl sulfones derived from the reaction of α-alkylated alkyl p-tolyl sulfones with dimethyl disulfide could be easily hydrolyzed by CuCl2–SiO2 to give the corresponding ketones in fairly good yields. This method was applied to the synthesis of Douglas Fir Tussock Moth Pheromone.