New approaches to the synthesis of canthaxanthin
Abstract The use of sulfur ylides for the chain extention of polyene aldehydes and ketones is described. This work resulted in an approach to synthesizing canthaxanthin via 2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one. The use of a substituted trimethylcyclohexenone or α-ionone for the construction of a C 15 phosphonium salt and its condensation with a C 10 dialdehyde for the synthesis of canthaxanthin is also reported.