Trimedlure enantiomers: differences in attraction for Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wied.) (Diptera: Tephritidae)

The most biologically active enantiomer of trimedlure, a synthetic lure attractive to male Mediterranean fruit flies, is the 1S,2S,4R enantiomer of isomer C, the tert-butyl ester of cis-4-chloro-trans-2-methylcyclohexane-carboxylic acid. We also determined that the 1R,2R,5S enantiomer of isomer A is significantly more attractive than its optical antipode. Essential differences in the current synthetic work that are critical to possible commercialization of this preparation are detailed herein