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As part of an international round robin verification exercise, samples were analysed from a simulated inspection, which may take place under a future Chemical Weapons Convention, of a facility producing the organophosphorus insecticide 2,2-dichloroethenyl dimethyl phosphate (Dichlorvos). The identification of an unknown potential chemical warfare agent, an octyl methylphosphonofluoridate mixture, by the combination of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (both electron impact and chemical ionization) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry (19F and 31P) is described in detail. This compound mixture was added in relatively small quantities to some of the complicated chemical industry samples.

The American cockroach, Periplaneta americana, produces a multicomponent mixture as its sex pheromone. The publications of its identification by various groups have confused the nomenclature of the various compounds. Novel names are proposed for some of them: periplanone-A (IV-A), isoperiplanone-A (III-D), periplanone-C (V) and periplanone-D (VI).

Methanol dehydrogenase (MDH, EC 1.1.99.8) was first described in 1964 by Anthony and Zatman (Anthony and Zatman 1964, 1965, 1967a,b). Since that time a large number of MDH’s have been found with similar properties (Anthony 1986) including the dimeric MDH from Hyphomicrobium X (Duine et al. 1978). Methanol dehydrogenases are dye-linked enzymes, efficient electron transfer occurring exclusively to cationic electron acceptors at relatively high pH values (> 9). Enzymatic activity requires the presence of ammonia and sometimes higher amines as activators. Like many other quinoproteins, MDH’s are characterized by a broad substrate specificity, besides methanol a wide range of primary alcohols is oxidized and some enzymes also oxidize secondary alcohols. Formaldehyde, and sometimes acetaldehyde, is also a substrate. Modulation of the substrate specificity by a modifier protein has been observed in several organisms (Bolbot and Anthony, 1980) and it has been suggested that this protein functions as a regulator of formaldehyde oxidation.

Two sex pheromones, periplanone A and periplanone B were isolated from the American cockroach Periplaneta americana. The technique is described for collecting periplanone B from the alimentary tracts of virgin females. Periplanone A was extracted from the excreta of the insects. Mass spectral analysis of the pheromones and related compounds were performed and the results are reported here. Evidence is presented suggesting that periplanone A is in fact a degradation product of periplanone B. A reaction scheme is considered for the pathway: periplanone B periplanone A (stable, but inactive) PA 22–VII.

The sex pheromone of the American cockroach,Periplaneta americana, consists of two compounds, which we have named periplanone-A and periplanone-B. The two compounds can be isolated from fecal material in a ratio of 1∶10, and periplanone-B can also be isolated from intestinal tracts. A total amount of 200 μg of periplanone-B has been isolated from both fecal material and alimentary tracts. By means of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, hydrogenation, infrared analysis, and NMR analysis, we were able to identify periplanone-B as (1Z,5E)-1,10(14)-diepoxy-4(15),5-germacradien-9-one. The overall structure was confirmed by comparison with a synthetic, biologically active epimer of periplanone-B.

Two independently biologically active compounds, periplanone A and periplanone B can be isolated from fecal material of the American cockroach,Periplaneta americana. In fecal material these occur in a ratio of 1 ∶ 10 while, in intestinal tracts only periplanone B has been found. The latter has been identified as (1Z,5E)-1,10(14)-diepoxy-4(15),5-germacradien-9-one; the identification was confirmed by synthesis. Only the CD (-) enantiomer (1R,2R,5E,7S,10R) exhibited activity. The lower threshold of activity of both natural and synthetic CD (-) pheromone, is 10(-6)-10(-7) μg. Periplanone A has been identified (apart from its stereochemical configuration) as 7-methylene-4-isopropyl-12-oxa-tricyclo[4.4.2.0(1,5)]-9-dodecen-2-one). The structure of this rather unstable compound could be deduced by comparing its NMR, UV, IR, and mass spectra with the NMR and mass spectra of its rearrangement product. Both structures still require confirmation by synthesis, but their spectral data are in complete agreement with the proposed structures. The presence of only periplanone B in the gut and the presence of both periplanone A and periplanone B in the feces suggests that periplanone B is a genuine sex pheromone, whereas peri-planone A might be a biologically active transformation product, which in turn can isomerize into a more stable, but inactive compound.

Two sex pheromones, periplanone A and periplanone B were isolated from the American cockroach Periplaneta americana. The technique is described for collecting periplanone B from the alimentary tracts of virgin females. Periplanone A was extracted from the excreta of the insects. Mass spectral analysis of the pheromones and related compounds were performed and the results are reported here. Evidence is presented suggesting that periplanone A is in fact a degradation product of periplanone B. A reaction scheme is considered for the pathway: periplanone B periplanone A (stable, but inactive) PA 22–VII.

Das aus Arbeiterinnen der Ameise Monomorium pharaonis L. isolierte 5-Methyl-3-butyl-octahydroindolizin (I), eine bisher unbekannte Verbinart aus.

Aus Arbeiterinnen der AmeiseMonomorium pharaonis (L.) wurde 5-Methyl-3-butyl-octahydroindolizin isoliert. Dieses Pheromon ubt eine starke Lockstoffwirkung auf die Arbeiterinnen dieser Ameisenart aus. Die Struktur wurde durch Spektral-analyse und Synthese aufgeklart. Unseres Wissens ist dies das erste Pheromon aus Insekten mit dem Indolizingerust.