A Palladium-Catalyzed Synthesis of β-Ionone from 2,2,6-Trimethylcyclohexanone

Abstract

To date the synthetic potential of annulation of a six-membered ring to cyclohexanones by electrocyclizations has only partially been explored¹. The conversion of β-ionone (3) to the bicyclic compound 4 has been accomplished in a good yield². This example could be regarded as a model for some synthetic strategies in the terpene field provided that an efficient conversion of 2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexanone (1) to β-ionone (3) could be found.