Attractiveness of Methylcyclohexyl-n-Alkanoates to the German cockroach

Abstract

All the positional and configurational isomers of methylcyclohexanol were prepared. They were converted into· C 3 -C 6 n-alkanoates. Their attractiveness to the Genhan cockroach was tested by a comparative trap test. trans-4-Methylcyc10hexyl butanoate exhibited the heights activity. This cOlnpound has the san1e longitudinal molecular size as that of propyl cyc1ohexaneacetate, and hence was supposed to interact with the receptor site that accommodates the latter. Neither cisnor trans-3-methylcyclohexyl butanoate gave a significant result. 1-Methylcyclohexyl butanoate was also inactive. trans-2-Methylcyclohexyl butanoate, as weB as cisand trans-2-methylcyc1ohexyl pentanoates attracted the cockroaches only when the cis and trans pairs \vere tested silTIultaneously.