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Significance of the pyrrolic nitrogen atom in receptor recognition ofAtta texana (Buckley) (Hymenoptera:Formicidae) trail pheromone and parapheromones

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Abstract

Calculations of the charge of the pyrrolic nitrogen atom in the trail pheromone ofAtta texana, methyl 4-methylpyrrole-2-carboxylate, as well as 17 analogs, showed that the most active compounds all had the same charge of −0.51 electrons on the nitrogen atom. It is suggested that the close value for this charge may be important in recognition by the receptor.

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This work was supported in part by the University of Iowa Computer Center.

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Caputo, J.F., Caputo, R.E. & Brand, J.M. Significance of the pyrrolic nitrogen atom in receptor recognition ofAtta texana (Buckley) (Hymenoptera:Formicidae) trail pheromone and parapheromones. J Chem Ecol 5, 273–278 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00988241

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00988241

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