Optically active 2,5,6,6-and 2,4,4,5-tetraalkylcyclohex-2-en-l-ones ((+)-Za4 and (-)-5a4), impoI;tant building blocks for flowery-and woody-like odorants, have been prepared. Compounds (+)-Za-d and (-)-5a4 were obtained by ozonolysis of the corresponding cyclopentenic precursors, followed by intramolecular aldol condensation. Alternatively, enones (+)-2a4 were reduced to the corresponding allylic alcohols and converted to enones (-)-Sad via acidic isomerization and oxidation. 13C-NMR assignments are presented.Introduction. -2,5,6,6-and 2,4,4,5-Tetraalkylcyclohex-2-en-l-ones are important and characteristic building blocks for the lipophilic part of many fragrances 11 J and carotenoids [2]. To our knowledge, despite the tremendous work on this subject [3], only