Biorational synthesis of iridomyrmecin diastereomers from catnip oil

4S,4aS,7S,7aR; 4R,4aS,7S,7aR; 4S,4aS,7S,7aS, and 4R,4aS,7S,7aS diastereomers of iridomyrmecin have been prepared in 5 steps from 4aS,7S,7aR and 4aS,7S,7aS-nepetalactones, major components of catnip oil. 4S,4aS,7S,7aR and 4R,4aS,7S,7aR-iridomyrmecin have been identified as defensive compounds from Iridomyrmex ants.