R-Muscenone Synthesis

Charles Fehr and co-workers at Firmenich SA, a company that specializes in fragrant and flavor chemicals, in Switzerland have recently published in Chemistry – A European Journal on the synthesis of R-muscenone.  They have successfully achieved an enantioselective Aldol reaction through dynamic kinetic resolution using an ephedrine alkoxide base.  A reduction of the Aldol adduct (beta-hydroxy ketone) and subsequent Grob fragmentation followed in order to access the Z-olefin in the macrocyle.

Chemistry – A European Journal paper