The stereoselective reaction of an allyl bromide with an aldehyde mediated by a low valency bismuth species was the key reaction in stereoselective syntheses of (4S,6R,8R,10S,16S)- and (4S,6R,8R,10S,16R)-4,6,8,10,16-pentamethyldocosanes. ¹³C NMR data for these compounds confirmed that the cuticular hydrocarbon isolated from the cane beetle Antitrogus parvulus was the (4S,6R,8R,10S,16S)-stereoisomer.