The elaboration of new cyclopropanation methods is expected to make selectively new Δ-compounds available, either as precursors or as new ingredients with superior olfactory impacts. The improvement of cyclopropanation processes through understanding of reaction mechanisms reduces costs and environmental impact. Givaudan is the leading 'Flavor & Frangrance' company which successfully brings Δ-molecules to the market. Javanol(®) , for example, with its unique performance exemplifies the product of an efficient industrial cyclopropanation of a dienol precursor. Serenolide(®) , Toscanol(®) , and Pashminol(®) are other high-impact Δ-fragrance ingredients manufactured at Givaudan. This review describes our journey from advanced SimmonsSmith methodology using Zn carbenoids, to Al- and Mg-mediated cyclopropanation techniques in the context of related alternative cyclopropanation methods for the transfer of the CH2 group onto CC bonds. The resulting cyclopropane products are themselves interesting substrates for further transformation to other flavor and fragrance compounds. Throughout this Review, the notation Δ refers to the presence of a cyclopropane ring, i.e., a 'Δ-compound' is defined as a compound that contains a cyclopropyl substituent or a 'fused cyclopropa' component, or a 'spiro-cyclopropane' moiety.

Key human axilla malodorants are hexenoic acid (3) and 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-hexanoic acid (5), accompanied by some 25 structurally related hydroxyalkanoic acids and alkenoic acids. These sweat acids are secreted in the axilla in the form of odorless glutamine conjugates and are released upon enzymolysis by AMRE (Axillary Malodor Releasing Enzyme), produced by Corynebacteria. The sulfanylalkanols 8–11 represent another important group of axilla malodor compounds that are also secreted in the form of odorless precursors. The major precursors are cysteine–glycine sulfanylalkanol conjugates of type 14 and the minor precursors are cysteine sulfanylalkanol conjugates like 15. The release occurs upon action of a ?-lyase of axilla bacteria. Besides the classical approaches of axilla malodor masking using fragrances, the use of chemicals to neutralize malodorants is described. The elucidation of the biochemistry of the sweat acid release has allowed the development of fragrance precursors that act as competitive substrates to the natural malodor precursors as well as the development of specific antagonists that block AMRE. Finally, the characterization and functional expression of a first human malodor receptor presents an interesting approach for future development of axilla malodor blockers.

In the acid-promoted 1,5-diene cyclization of pseudo- to beta-Georgywood, the cyclization product is obtained with high selectivity in spite of an unfavorable substituent at the C(2)-position of the diene precursor. Preisomerization of the cyclohexene double bond, which occurs in the presence of Brønsted acids, is suppressed with >1 equiv of MXn-type Lewis acids, whereas RAlX2-type Lewis acids such as >2 equiv of MeAlCl2 have the additional benefit of steering the double bond of the cyclized product into the desired beta-position. Mechanistic studies revealed a crucial participation or nonparticipation of the carbonyl group in the cyclization reaction, depending on the acid family employed, and allowed finally the development of a cyclization reaction catalyzed by MeAlCl2 that can be generated in situ from precatalyst AlMe3.1.

Tertiary Grignard reagents and dibromomethane efficiently cyclopropanate allylic (and certain homoallylic) magnesium and lithium alcoholates at ambient temperature in ether solvents. Lithium (homo)allyl alcoholates are directly cyclopropanated with magnesium and CH2Br2 under Barbier conditions at higher temperatures. The reaction rates depend on the substitution pattern of the (homo)allylic alcoholates and on the counterion with lithium giving best results. Good to excellent syn-selectivities are obtained from alpha-substituted substrates, which are in accord with a staggered Houk model. In tandem reactions, cyclopropyl carbinols are obtained from allyloxylithium or -magnesium intermediates, generated in situ by alkylation of conjugated aldehydes, ketones, and esters as well as from allyl carboxylates or vinyloxiranes. Using this methodology, numerous fragrance ingredients and their precursors were efficiently converted to the corresponding cyclopropyl carbinols.

The cyclopropanation of nonactivated alkenes with inexpensive triisobutylaluminum (TIBA), in dibromomethane as solvent and reagent, is efficiently catalyzed by FeCl3 at ambient temperature. Catalytic amounts of CuI salts, CpTiCl3, and [CpFe(CO)2]2 are similarly effective. 2‐Methylpropane, generated after quench of excess TIBA can be trapped, and excess dibromomethane can be recycled, which makes the method industrially applicable. Solvent‐free DIBAH or TIBA reduction of unsaturated carbonyl compounds, followed by in situ TIBA cyclopropanation of the unsaturated aluminum alcoholates in dibromomethane give cyclopropyl alkanols. Dienols such as geraniol, linalool or nor‐radjanol are selectively cyclopropanated in their distal position, which allows the synthesis of flavor and fragrance compounds such as Δ‐citral, cis‐javanol, and 7‐methyl‐georgywood. Uncontrollable exothermic events are avoided due to relatively low reaction temperatures made possible by the catalysts and by the addition mode of the reagents.1