Process for preparing alpha-farnesenes and 4-substituted 3-methyl-1,3-butadiene compound having related structure, and synthetic intermediate compound thereof

Abstract

The present invention provides a process for preparing a 4-substituted 3-methyl-1,3-butadiene compound of the following general formula (A), wherein R represents a linear, branched, or cyclic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms and optionally having an unsaturated bond(s), the process comprising steps of subjecting a primary allylsulfone compound of the following general formula (D), wherein R represents a linear, branched, or cyclic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms and optionally having an unsaturated bond(s), X represents a halogen atom, and W represents an arenesulfonyl group, to a reductive removal of the arenesulfonyl group, W, to form a halide compound of the following general formula (B), wherein R represents a linear, branched, or cyclic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms and optionally having an unsaturated bond(s), and X represents a halogen atom; and subjecting the aforesaid halide compound (B) to an elimination reaction of a hydrogen halide, HX, to form the aforesaid 4-substituted 3-methyl-1,3-butadiene compound (A).