LP & PO Division, Indian Lac Research Institute (ICAR). Namkum. Ranchi-834 010. India E-mail : rch_sarkar2d@sancharnet.in Fax : 91-651-2260202 Manuscript received 14 June 2004, revised 5 October 2004. accepted 30 January 2005 Z-(9)-Hexadecenal, an important pheromonal component, was synthesised from aleuritic acid, using novel procedure, resulting in improved yields. Microwave-assisted technique was also applied in the esterification of aleuritic acid, leading to shorter reaction limes and 98% yield of methyl aleuritate.