Synthesis of cis 2-(1'-methyl-2'-isopropenylcyclobutyl)ethanol, a component of the boll weevil sex attractant, and intermediates therefor, in which 5-hydroxy-pent-2-ynoic acid ester or ethers thereof is methylated followed by cyclization to yield 3-methylpent-2-eno-5-lactone which is irradiated in presence of ethylene to yield 2,3-cycloethylene-3-methylpentano-5-lactone which is cleaved and converted into 2-(1'-methyl-2'-isopropenylcyclobutyl)ethanol.
Methods and apparatuses for launching unmanned aircraft and other flight devices or projectiles are described. In one embodiment, the aircraft can belaunched from an apparatus that includes a launch carriage that moves along a launch axis. A gripper carried by the launch carriage can have at least one grip portion in contact with the aircraft while the launch carriage accelerates along the launch axis. The at least one grip portion can move out of contact with the fuselage of the aircraft as the launch carriage decelerates, releasing the aircraft for takeoff.
