Tridecane is an alkane, that is, an organic compound consisting of carbon and hydrogen.

It occurs naturally in insects and works both as a pheromone and as a repellent.

It is found in cosmetic products.

Tridecane studies

Molecular Formula: C₁₃H₂₈

Linear Formula CH₃(CH₂)₁₁CH₃ 

Molecular Weight: 184.367 g/mol

CAS: 629-50-5

UNII: A3LZF0L939

EC Number: 211-093-4

PubChem Substance ID 24900311

MDL number MFCD00008979

Beilstein Registry Number 1733089

• N-TRIDECANE
• Dodecane, methyl-
• Tridekan
• tridecan

Tridecane is a natural component found in various insects and has been identified in the Halyomorpha halys bug as a pheromone (1).

Using chemical analyzes and behavioral tests, it has been shown that n-tridecane is the main biologically active compound of secretions of the lice glands in ants Messor pergandei and Messor andrei and that it functions chemically as a powerful alarm-recruiting pheromone (2).

References___________________________________

(1) Semiochemical Production and Laboratory Behavior Response of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha Halys.
Harris C, Abubeker S, Yu M, Leskey T, Zhang A.
PLoS One. 2015 Nov 3;10(11):e0140876. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140876.

(2) Pygidial gland chemistry and potential alarm-recruitment function in column foraging, but not solitary, Nearctic Messor harvesting ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae).
Hölldobler B, Plowes NJ, Johnson RA, Nishshanka U, Liu C, Attygalle AB.
J Insect Physiol. 2013 Sep;59(9):863-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2013.06.006.