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David R. Battiste |
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David R. Battiste
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
dbattiste@usouthal.edu |
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Funded Environmental Chemistry Program
Insect Pheromone Synthesis
Quantitative Analysis of Pheromones in Traps and Lures
Funding for one (1) full-time postdoctoral/Research Technologist, two (2) graduate
students and (1) undergraduate student is available for analytical/organic chemistry
related to invasive species insect pheromones.
Traps and lures, using attractant pheromones, are used across the United States to identify
and monitor invasive insect species. The Battiste group works together with Dr. David
Forbes and Dr. Jason Coym to develop analytical methods for the verification,
confirmation and quantitation of lure and trap active ingredients for two invasive insects
attacking pine and spruce trees.
Two main analytical chemistry projects of this program are to develop and apply
analytical methods for the extraction, separation and quantitation of the components of
the (1) Spruce Blend Lure and the (2) Chalcographus Lure. The Spruce Blend Lure,
which has been shown to attract Tetropium fuscum (F.) and Tetropium castaneum
(Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), simulates five (5) mono-terpenes that are emitted from red
spruce trees; α-Pinene, β-Pinene, 3-Carene, Limonene and α -Terpinolene. The
Chalcographus Lure is composed of Chalcogran and methyl-2,4-decadienoate, two maleproduced
pheromones emitted by Pityogenes chalcographus, as well as 2-methyl-3-
buten-2-ol, a major volatile found in pine trees which is an attractant for other similar
bark beetle species.
We use classical organic chemistry techniques and state of the art analytical tools such as
proton and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), infrared and gas
chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) for identification. Separation and
quantitative analysis methods are based on gas chromatography (GC) and high
performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
In a third part of our analytical chemistry effort, we conduct NMR analysis to confirm
chemical structure on lures & traps (or active ingredient components) as requested.
Synthesis of Trimedlure
The synthetic organic chemistry target for the group is the active ingredient of the
Mediterranean fruit fly pheromone, t-butyl-2-methyl-4-chlorocyclohexanecarboxylate.
This compound is one of four (4) possible isomers produced by the current synthetic
route to commercial Trimedlure. Our primary goal is to apply synthetic methods, reported
in the literature, to provide a sufficient quantity of this compound to our sponsor, to have
an independent standard. A secondary goal is to develop an improved synthetic method to
produce a larger quantity of the correct active isomer.
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