Structure-activity relationships for chain-shortened analogs of (Z)-5-decenyl acetate, a pheromone component of the turnip moth, Agrotis segetum

Structure-activity relationships for chain-shortened analogs of (Z)-5-decenyl acetate, a pheromone component of the turnip moth, Agrotis segetum, have been studied by electrophysiological single-sensillum technique and interpreted in terms of a previously reported receptor-interaction model. The results indicate that the terminal methyl group, as well as the acetate group, interacts with highly complementary receptor sites. The terminal alkyl chain is suggested to interact with a hydrophobic "pocket" extending over the two methylene groups closest to the terminal methyl group. The amounts of stimulus actually released from the odor source have been studied. The results demonstrate the necessity to take differences of volatility into account in comparisons of electrophysiological data for compounds of different chain lengths. It is shown that relative vapor pressures may to a good approximation be employed to estimate correction factors.