Both C=C-bond isomers of cyclohexadec-7-enone (6, Aurelione(®) ) were selectively synthesized via cyclohexadec-7-ynol (16) by ring-closing alkyne metathesis of icosa-2,18-diyn-9-ol (15), employing an in situ-formed catalyst from Mo(CO)6 and 4-(trifluoromethyl)phenol. Pyridinium chlorochromate (PCC) oxidation and subsequent Lindlar hydrogenation afforded the (7Z)-configured isomer (7Z)-6, while hydrosilylation of the intermediate cyclohexadec-7-ynone (17), followed by desilylation, provided the (7E)-configured cyclohexadec-7-enone ((7E)-6). The substrate for the alkyne metathesis was prepared from cycloheptanone (7) by cycloaddition of chloromethylcarbene to its trimethylsilyl enol ether 8, and subsequent ring enlargement of the adduct 9 under rearrangement to 2-methylcyclooct-2-enone (10), which was subjected to Weitz-Scheffer epoxidation and Eschenmoser-Ohloff fragmentation to non-7-ynal (12). Its reaction with the Grignard reagent of 11-bromoundec-2-yne (14), prepared from the corresponding alcohol 13 by Appel-Lee bromination, furnished the icosa-2,18-diyn-9-ol (15). While both isomers of cyclohexadec-7-enone (6) possess warm and powdery musk odors with tobacco-type ambery accents, (7Z)-6 is more animalic and waxy, whereas (7E)-6 was found to be more floral, sweet, and hay-like in tonality. Interestingly, however, with odor detection thresholds of 2.0 ng/l air and 2.3 ng/l air, respectively, both (7Z)-6 and (7E)-6 were found to be almost identical in their odor strength, with the (7Z)-6 being only very slightly more powerful.

A series of Claisen rearrangements was undertaken in order to find a replacement for Lilial (=3-(4-(tert-butyl)phenyl)-2-methylpropanal), a high-tonnage perfumery ingredient with a lily-of-the-valley odour, which is a CMR2 material [1]. 5,7,7-Trimethyl-4-methyleneoctanal (10), the synthesis of which is described, became the main lead. It possesses an odour which is very close to that of Lilial but lacks its substantivity. Aldehydes with higher molecular weights than that of 10 were, therefore, synthesised in order to boost substantivity and to understand the structural requirements for a 'Lilial' odour. The aldehydes were obtained via Claisen rearrangements of 'exo-methylidene' vinyl ethers, allenyl vinyl ethers, or allenyl allyl ethers. Alternatively, coupling of terminal alkynes with allyl alcohols led to the desired aldehydes. Derivatives of 10 and their sila analogues were also synthesised. The olfactory properties of all synthesised molecules were evaluated for possible structure-odour relationships (SOR).