Can Isoamyl Acetate Create a Bee Army?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the properties and effects of isoamyl acetate, particularly its role as a potential bee pheromone and its implications for attracting bees. Participants explore the chemical's synthesis, its sensory characteristics, and its behavior in different environments.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that isoamyl acetate is associated with banana flavor and suggests it may act as a bee pheromone when bees are in danger.
  • Another participant confirms that isoamyl acetate can attract bees to a stung area, implying caution when it is present on skin.
  • A different participant shares a personal anecdote about the smell of isoamyl acetate and discusses its hydrolysis on skin, which may affect its use in perfumes.
  • Questions are raised about the distance bees need to be from isoamyl acetate for it to be effective and how long it takes for the chemical to decompose in different environments.
  • One participant mentions that isoamyl acetate acts as a panic pheromone, suggesting it may agitate bees rather than attract them in all situations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effects of isoamyl acetate on bees, with some suggesting it attracts them while others argue it may only agitate them. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific conditions under which isoamyl acetate would effectively summon bees.

Contextual Notes

There are uncertainties regarding the decomposition rate of isoamyl acetate in various environments and the specific conditions under which it acts as a pheromone. The discussion reflects a mix of personal experiences and theoretical knowledge without definitive conclusions.

thunderfvck
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Hi.
My class had done an experiment synthesizing isoamyl acetate, but MY class didn't actually get to do it. haa. You see the other classes in the same section did it but the power went out and we weren't able to do it. Anyways, that's enough fro mr. pointless. SO, as I recall from the outline isoamyl acetate was banana flavour or something. Very disappointing that I wasn't able to do the experiment. ANyway, I also read on the internet (off a particular organic chemistry site) that isoamyl acetate was a honey bee pheromone (at least I think it was a pheromone) that bees give off as a chemical signal when they're in danger. And it attracts more bees to the site, the site didn't mention anything about banana so I'm not sure whether or not I believe that it was this particular chemical. Anyway, maybe somebody could clear that up.
Assuming that this chemical is the bee signal, do you think that I could build some kind of bee army as a result. Not seriously, but you get the implication. Would I be able to summon the bees for my bidding?
 
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yeah it's used to attract bees to a previously stung spot, so if it's on your skin and there are a bunch of bees around, run :wink:.

also the synthesis itself is kind of boring so you didn't really miss much.
 
I remember this lab from my undergraduate days. I thought it smelled pretty good so I didn't wash it off when I spilled some on my hands. But I had forgotten why esters don't get used in the perfume industry. The oil on your skin is acidic enough to hydrolyze the ester back to the Fisher adducts, which in this case is isopentyl alcohol and acetic acid. It was a stinky ride home on the unfortunately crowded bus.
 
How close do the bees have to be?
How long does it take for the ester to decompose? Assuming it isn't on someones skin but is instead, let's say, scattered on the grass or something. Would it attract bees to the spot?
 
Originally posted by thunderfvck
How close do the bees have to be?
How long does it take for the ester to decompose? Assuming it isn't on someones skin but is instead, let's say, scattered on the grass or something. Would it attract bees to the spot?

From what I have read it is a panic pheromone, it wouldn't necessarily attract bees, just agitate them. On the skin it takes ten to twenty minutes to start stinking. Probably considerably longer on the grass. It's the same stuff that gives banana their taste/scent.
 
I see.
So my dreams of a bee army aren't looking very good.
 

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