Stereoselective synthesis of (5R,6S)‐6‐acetoxy hexadecanolide—The major component of the oviposition attractant pheromone of the mosquito Culex pipens fatigans and its enantiomer from L‐glutamic acid

A concise synthesis of the mosquito oviposition attractant pheromone, (‐)(5R, 6S)‐and (+)‐(5S, 6R)‐6‐acetoxy hexadecanolide from L‐glutamic acid is described. The key steps are the inversion of the configuration at C‐4 of 7, and the formation of δ‐lactone from the γ‐lactone through ring enlargement.