PROCESS FOR MAKING NEO-ENRICHED P-MENTHANE COMPOUNDS.

摘要

A process for making neo-enriched p-menthane intermediates is disclosed. Lewis acid-catalyzed rearrangement of an oxaspiro compound provides an aldehyde mixture comprising normal (II) and neo (III) p-menthane-3-aldehydes:with the neo aldehyde (III) as the major product. The aldehyde mixture is readily oxidized to provide the corresponding carboxylic acids, and the acids are easily converted to a host of neo-enriched p-menthane esters or amides. The esters and amides are valuable as physiological coolants.