PURPOSE: To obtain an alkenol in a high yield which is useful as a pheromone or a precursor for synthesis of pheromone by reaction of phosphonium salt with aldehyde or hemiacetal.
CONSTITUTION: Phosphonium salt of formula R1-CH2-P+(C6H5)3X- (X is Cl, Br or I, R1 is H or a hydrocarbon) is reacted with aldehyde of formula I ((n) is 3-15) or hemiacetal of formula II to obtain alkenol of formula R1-CH=CH (CH2)nOH. Or, phosphonium salt of formula (C6H5)3P+(CH2)n+1OHX- is reacted with aldehyde of formula R1CHO in a solvent (example: alcohol) in the presence of base (example: alkali metal salt of alcohol) to obtain alkenol. The reaction is conducted at a temperature of -50 to 150°C when the aldehyde of formula I is used and at a temperature of 0-50°C when the aldehyde of formula II is used.
Ernst, Buschmann
Christiane, McEnroth
