Synthesis of two Geometrical Isomers of Hexadeca-2,4,8,10-tetraenoic Acid and their isobutylamides

Abstract

Two of the stereoisomers of hexadeca-2,4,8,10-tetraenoic acid, namely the trans-2,trans-4,trans-8,cis-l0-, and the trans-2,trans-4,cis-8,cis-10-isomers, have been synthesized. The insecticidal activities of their isobutylamides and those of the intermediate acetylenic acids towards the housefly, Musca domestica, have been examined. One of these acetylenic isobutylamides, namely N-isobutylhexadeca-trans-2,trans-4-diene-8,10-diynamide, is the C₂₀ analogue of the naturally occurring C₁₈ acetylene " anacyclin ".