Straightforward preparation of (2E,4Z)-2,4-heptadien-1-ol and (2E,4Z)-2,4-heptadienal

A concise synthesis of (2E,4Z)-2,4-heptadien-1-ol and (2E,4Z)-2,4-heptadienal is presented. Commercially available (Z)-2-penten-1-ol was converted to ethyl- (2E,4Z) -2,4-heptadienoate by reaction with activated MnO2 and (carboethoxymethylene)triphenylphosphorane in the presence of benzoic acid as a catalyst. Ethyl-(2E,4Z)-2,4-heptadienoate was converted to (2E,4Z)-2,4-heptadien-1-ol with LiAlH4. The alcohol was partially oxidized to (2E,4Z)-2,4-heptadienal with MnO2. The title compounds are male-specific, antennally active volatile compounds from the Saltcedar leaf beetle, Diorhabda elongata Brulle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and have potential use in the biological control of the invasive weed saltcedar (Tamarix spp).