(S)-3,7-Dimethyl-2-oxo-6-octene-1,3-diol: an aggregation pheromone of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say)

(S)-3,7-Dimethyl-2-oxo-6-octene-1,3-diol has been identified as a male-produced pheromone from the Colorado potato beetle. Its gross structure was deduced from its mass and NMR spectra plus synthesis from geraniol. The absolute configuration was determined to be (S) by syntheses of both enantiomers from (R)- and (S)-linalool, respectively.