Process for producing polyene compounds
United States Patent [1 1 Schweiier et al.  
 Apr. s, 1975 PROCESS FOR PRODUCING POLYENE COMPOUNDS Inventors: Ulrich Schweiier, Reinach,  
 Basel-Land; Norbert Rigassi, Arleshein, both of Switzerland Hoffman-La Roche Inc., Nutley, NJ.  
 Filed: Mar. 19, I973 Appl. No.: 342,574  
 Related US. Application Data Division of Ser. No. 47.572. June 18. 1970. Pat. No. 3.793.375.  
 Assignee:  
 Foreign Application Priority Data July 4. I969 Switzerland lO22l/69 US. Cl 260/348 A Int. Cl. C07d l//22 Field of Search 260/348 A, 348 C, 348.5 R  
 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/l974 Schwietcr et a]. 260/587 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Malinovskii, Epoxides And Their Derivatives, frontis page and pp. 39 to 47. Daniel Davey and Co. Inc. (1965).  
 Karrer et al., Helv. Chim. Acta, Vol. 29, pp. 1829 to 1836 (1946).  
 Giovannini et al., Chem. Abstracts, Vol. 53, C01. 21832 1959).  
 Brooks et al., J. Chem. Soc. 1961, pp. 308 to 310.  
 &#39; Primary E.\&#39;aminer.lohn D. Randolph Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Samuel L. Welt; Jon S. Saxe&#39;. William H. Epstein 7 Claims, No Drawings .alkoxycarbonyl,  
 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the past l-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxocyclohexene compounds have been manufactured with difficulty and in poor yields. For example, 4-(1- hydroxy-2 ,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxo-cyclohex-2-enl -yl)- but-3-en-2-one [6-hydroxy-3-keto-a-ionone] has been prepared by oxidizing 4-(2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohex-2- en-l-yl)-but-3-en-2-one [a-ionone] with t-butyl chromate or chromic acid. This oxidization has only produced the desired 6-hydroxy-3-keto-a-ionone in poor yields. Furthermore, the 6-hydroxy-3-keto-a-ionone obtained by this process has been difficult to isolate in pure form.  
  Additionally, the known plant growth regulator, abscisic acid, [3-methyl-5-(l-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4- oxo-cyclohex-2-enl -yl) penta-2-cis,4-trans-dienl -oic acid] has in the past been prepared by first converting 3-methyl-5-( 2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclhexa l ,3-dienl-yl)- penta-2,4-dien-l-oic acid into 3-methyl-5(1,4- epidioxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohex-Z-enl -yl)penta- 2,4-dienoic acid by photochemical oxidation, then opening the endoperoxide with a base and thereafter separating the desired 2-cin isomer from the 2-cin/trans isomeric mixture. This process suffers from the disadvantage that it produces abscisic acid in poor yields and that extensive purification of the abscisic acid produced by this process is necessary.  
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with this invention it has been found that compounds of the formula X is hydroxymethylene, formyl, cyano, carboxy, lower lower alkanoyl, phenoxycarbonyl, phenoxycarbonyl, substituted with at least one member selected from the group consisting of nitro, lower alkyl, halo lower alkyl, or lower alkylsulfonyl, benzoyl, benzoyl substituted with at least one member selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, nitro, halo lower alkyl or lower alkylsulfonyl, or  
 and R and R are individually hydrogen, lower alkyl or phenyl or taken together with their attached nitrogen atom form an imidazole ring can be obtained in high yields and with a high degree of purity in a simple manner by first reacting a compound of the formula wherein X is etherified or esterified hydroxymethylene, formyl, cyano, carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, lower alkanoyl, phenoxycarbonyl, phenoxycarbonyl substituted with at least one member selected from the group consisting of nitro, lower alkyl, halo lower alkyl, or lower alkylsulfonyl, benzoyl, benzoyl substituted with at least one member selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, nitro, halo lower alkyl or lower alkylsulfonyl or and R and R are individually hydrogen, lower alkyl or phenyl or taken together with their attached nitrogen form an imidazole ring.  
 with selenium dioxide and then oxidizing the resulting 1,4-diol. If the compound of formula I is formed where X is an etherified or esterified hydroxymethylene group; this group can be hydrolized to form the corresponding alcohol. If the compound of formula I above is formed where X is an esterified acid group, these esters can, if desired, be saponified and, if desired, the resulting acid converted into an amide or an ester.  
  In accordance with this invention, the above process provides a simple and economic means for producing the known planthormones such as abscisic acid, abscisic acid derivatives and related compounds as illustrated by formula I above.  
  The compounds of formula I are useful as plant growth regulatory agents.  
  Among the preferred compounds of formula I produced by this invention are the following:  
  4-( l-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxo-cyclohex-2-enl-yl)-but-3-en-2-one [6-hydroxy-S-keto-a-ionone 3-methyl-5-( l-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxocyclohex-2-enl -yl)-penta-2-cis,4-trans-dien- 1 -oic acic&#39; [abscisin];  
  3-methyl-5-( l-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxocyclohex-2-enl -yl)-penta-2-cis/trans, 4-tranns-dienloic acid ethyl ester;  
  3-methyl-5-( l-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxocyclohex-Z-enl -yl)-penta-2,4-dienl -oic acid methy: ester;  
  3-methyl-5-( l-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxocyclohex-2-en-l-yl)-penta-2,4-dien-l-oic acid n-pentyl ester;  
  3-methyl-5-( l-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxocyclohex-2 en-l-yl)-penta-2,4-dien-l-oic acid phenyl ester;  
 3-methyl-5-( l-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4oxocyclohex-2-enl -yl )-penta-2,4-dienl -oic acid pnitrophenyl ester;  
  3-methyl-5-( l-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxocyclohex-Z-enl -yl )-penta-2,4-dienl -oic acid p-methylsulphonylphenyl ester;  
  3-methtyl-5-( l-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxocyclohex-Z-enl -yl )-penta-2,4-dienl -oic acid nitrile; l-benzoyl-3-methyl-5-( l-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4- oxo-cyclohex-Z-en-l-yl)-penta-2,4-diene; and  
  3-methyl-5-( l-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxocyclohex-Z-en-l-yl)-penta-2,4-dien-l-oic acid imidazolide.  
 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The term halogen as used throughout this application includes all four halogens, i.e., bromine, chlorine, fluorine and iodine. If not otherwise indicated. As used throughout this application, the term lower alkyl comprehends both straight and branched chain saturated hydrocarbon groups containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, etc. The term lower alkoxy comprehends lower alkoxy groups containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms such as methoxy, propoxy, ethoxy, etc.  
  The term lower alkanoyl as utilized throughout this specification includes lower alkanoyl groups containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms preferably 1 to 5 carbon atoms. Among the preferred lower alkanoyl groups are included acetyl, propionyl, pivaloyl.  
  The term lower alkoxycarbonyl groups includes groups wherein lower alkoxy is defined as above. The preferred lower alkoxycarbonyl groups are those groups wherein the lower alkoxy substituent contains from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, such as methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, propoxycarbonyl, isopropoxycarbonyl, butoxycarbonyl or pentoxycarbonyl.  
  The lower alkyl residue, the lower halo alkyl residues, and the lower alkyl sulfonyl residues which can be substituted on the phenyl substituent can contain from 1 through 6 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. The halo lower alkyl residue can be monohalo-substituted, dihalo-substituted or trihalosubstituted. Among the preferred halo alkyl residues are included chloromethyl, dichloromethyl, and trifluoromethyl. Among the lower alkyl sulfonyl residues are included, methyl sulfonyl, and ethyl sulfonyl.  
  The carbamyl group can be mono-substituted of disubstituted by lower alkyl. Among the preferred lower alkyl substituted carbamyl groups are those wherein the lower alkyl substituent contains from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Among such groups are included methyl carbamyl, N,N-dimethyl carbamyl, ethyl carbamyl and N ,N- diethyl carbamyl.  
 5 The X in the compound of formula II above is an etherified or esterified hydroxymethylene group, the hydroxymethylene group can be etherified with a lower alkyl or aryl substituent. On the other hand, the hydroxymethylene group can be esterified with a lower 10 alkanoyloxy or aryloxy group. The term aryl as such as phenyl which can be unsubstituted or substituted in one or more positions with lower alkyl, halogen or nitro. The term aryl also includes polynuclear aryl groups, such as naphthyl, anthryl, and phenanthryl, azulyl, etc. which may be unsubstituted or substituted with one or more of the aforementioned groups. The preferred polynuclear aryl group is naphthyl.  
  The compounds of formula I are hormones for promoting the abscission or shedding of the fruit from a plant and for regulating the growth of plants. The compounds of formula I are growth regulators for mono and dicotyledonous plants. Furthermore, because of their low toxicity these compounds also can be used as herbicides. The compounds of formula I are preferably employed in the cultivation of sugar cane. By applying these compounds to sugar cane, the sugar content of the sugar cane can be enhanced since these compounds inhibit the growth of the shoots.  
 The compounds of formula I where R is wherein X is as above have the formula by the following reaction scheme:  
 wherein X is as above The compound of formula V can be converted to the compound of formula VI, by a reaction step (a) by treating the compound of formula V with an organic peracid. In carrying out this reaction, any conventional organic peracid can be utilized. Among the conventional organic peracids which can be utilized, performic acid, peracetic acid, perbenzoic acid, mchloroperbenzoic acid and perphthalic acid are preferred. Generally, this reaction is carried out in the presence of an inert organic solvent. Any conventional inert organic solvent can be utilized in carrying out this reaction. Among the preferred inert organic solvents, the halogenated hydrocarbon solvents such as methylene chloride are preferred. In carrying out this reaction, temperatures of from -lC to room temperature are generally utilized. Generally, it is preferred to utilize temperatures of about 0C. in carrying out this reaction.  
  By the process of step (a), 4-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexa-l ,3-dien)-but-3-en-2-one[dehydro-B- ionone] is converted to 4-(l,2-epoxy-2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-3-en-l-yl)-but-3-en-2-one [5 ,6-epoxydehydro-B-ionone].  
  The compound of formula VI can be converted to the compound of formula VII, via reaction step (b) by treating the compound of formula VI with selenium dioxide. The epoxide of formula VI and selenium dioxide can, if desired, be employed in equal molar amounts. However, it has been found to be expedient to use the selenium dioxide in a molar excess of the amount of the compound of formula VI. Generally, it is preferred to use about 1 mole to about 2 moles of selenium dioxide per mole of the compound of formula VI in carrying out the reaction of step (b). The reaction of step (b) is carried out preferably in an organic solvent. Any conventional organic solvent can be utilized. Among the preferred organic solvents are included tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, diethyl ether, hexane, benzene, etc. with tetrahydrofuran being especially preferred.  
  The selenium dioxide, which existsas a solid at room temperature, is advantageously utilized in a finely divided form, especially in a pulverized form. In carrying out the reaction of step (b), temperature and pressure are not critical and the reaction can be carried out at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. However, if desired, elevated or reduced temperatures can be utilized. Generally, it is preferred to carry out this reaction at a temperature of from 0C. to the boiling point of the reaction mixture. Depending upon the chosen reaction temperature, from about 12 to 60 hours are sufficient to carry out the reaction of step (b).  
  The compound of formula VII can be isolated from the reaction mixture of step (b) by the conventional means. These means included extracting with a solvent [particularly diethylether], washing the extract with dilute alkali, drying and thereafter evaporating the ether solvent. The compound of formula VII can, if desired, be purified by conventional means such as absorption on Kieselgel and elution with a solvent mixture, such as hexane and ethyl acetate. On the other hand, the crude compound of formula VII can be oxidized to the compound of formula VIII.  
  The oxidation of either the pure or crude compound of formula VII to the compound of formula VIII ca be carried out by use of various oxidizing agents. Among the preferred oxidizing agents are included chromium or sulfur trioxide and pyridine, manganese dioxide, chromisulfuric acid, dimethylsulfoxide or N-bromo lower alkanoyl amides. Among the preferred N-bromo lower alkanoyl amides, N-bromoacetamide, is especially preferred. In carrying out this reaction any of the conventional conditions utilized in carrying out oxidation reactions with these oxidizing agents can be utilized.  
  From the aforementioned agents, chromisulfuric acid is generally preferred. In utilizing this oxidizing agent, one expediently uses a chromisulfuric acid solution prepared from 26.72 grams of chromium trioxide, 23 ml. of concentrated sulfuric acid and water to 100 ml. This oxidizing agent is conveniently allowed to act on the compound of formula VIII at a temperature of from 1G to 10C, preferably at about C. This oxidation can be completed after a few minutes, i.e., after a period of from about to minutes. The reaction mixture can be worked up in a conventional manner such as by pouring the reaction mixture onto ice water and extracting with diethyl ether. The ether extract can then be washed, dried and the ether evaporated therefrom. If desired, the compound of formula VIII can be purified by absorption on Kieselgel and eluting with a solvent mixture preferably hexane and ethyl acetate.  
  On the other hand, the reaction of step (e) can be carried out by treating the compound of formula VIII with a dehydrogenating agent. Among the preferred dehydrogenating agents are included aluminum tert.- butylate or a benzoquinone substituted by halogen and- /or cyano. Among the preferred dehydrogenating agents for use in this invention is dichlorodicyanobenzoquinone. The conditions which are commonly em.- ployed in utilizing these dehydrogenating agents can be utilized carrying out the reaction of step (c).  
  In a further preferred embodiment the dial obtained is oxidized with manganese dioxide to the desired 1- hydroxy-4-oxo compound of formula I. In the performance of this reaction step the diol is dissolved in an inert organic solvent, for example methylene chloride, manganese dioxide is added and the mixture is shaken, preferably at room temperature. In a preferred embodiment the mixture is shaken for 24 hours and then worked up in a conventional manner.  
  The compounds of formulae V, VI, VII, and VIII above can be respectively converted to the compound of formulae IX, X, XI, and I-A, by either a Wittig or I-Iorner reaction. In the reactions of steps (d), (e), (f) and (g) the compounds of formulae V, VI, VII and VIII are reacted with a Wittig reactant of the formula wherein X&#34; is an X above with the exception of etherified and esterified hydroxymethylene or formyl, and R,, R and R are aryl or di-lower alkylamino; and Y XIII is chlorine bromine or iodine or with a I-lorner reactant of the formula wherein X is cyano, carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, lower alkanoyl and R and R are aryl, aryloxy or lower alkoxy.  
  In case a compound of formulae IX, X, XI or I-A is desired, wherein X is an etherified or esterified hydroxymethylene or a formyl group, the respective compounds of formulae XXIII, XXIV, XXV or XX are prepared as described hereinafter and the esterified hydroxymethylene compound obtained may be hydrolyzed and, if necessary, etherified or oxidized with manganese dioxide to the formyl derivative in conventional manners.  
  The Wittig or I-Iorner reaction of steps (d), (e), (f) and (g) can be carried out by conventional means well known in the art. Generally, these reactions are carried out in the presence of an alkali metal base in an inert organic solvent. Any conventional alkali metal base can be utilized. The conventional alkali metal bases include the alkali metal hydrides such as sodium hydride, potassium hydride; alkali metal lower alkoxides such as, sodium methoxide, sodium ethoxide, etc; and the alkali metal amide bases such as, sodamide, potassium amide, sodium methylamide, potassium methylamide, as well as other alkali metal lower alkyl amides. In carrying out either the Horner or Wittig reactions, any conventional inert organic solvent can be utilized. Generally, solvents such as benzene, toluene, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, N,N,-dimethylformamide are preferred. In carrying out either the I-Iorner or Wittig reactions, temperature and pressure are not critical and these reactions can be carried out at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. If desired higher or lower temperatures can be utilized.  
  The conversion of compounds of the formula IX to compounds of the formula X, via reaction step (h) is carried out in the same manner as described in connection with step (a). The conversion of compounds of the formula X to compounds of the formula XI via reaction step (i) is carried out in the same manner as described in connection with step (b). The conversion of compounds of the formula XI to compounds of the formula I-A via reaction step (j), is carried out in the same manner as described in connection with step (c).  
  When X in the compound of the formula I-A is an esterified hydroxymethylene group, this group can be saponified to the corresponding alcohol by conventional saponifying techniques such as by treatment with a base. Among the preferred bases for carrying out this saponification are included alkali metal lower alkoxides such as sodium methoxide. I  
  When X in the compound of formula I-A is an etherified hydroxymethylene group, this group can be converted to the corresponding alcohol by conventional means such as by treating the ether with a concentrated aqueous hydrohalic acid such as hydrogen bromide or hydrogen iodide. This reaction is generally carried out by heating.  
 XIV  
  When X in the compound of formula I-A is a lower alkoxycarbonyl, phenoxycarbonyl, or substituted phenoxycarbonyl, this ester can, if desired, be converted into amide (which may be lower alkyl substituted). This conversion can be carried out, for example, by treating the ester with an appropriate dialkylamine lithium compound. The dialkylamine lithium compound needed for this reaction can expediently be prepared by dissolving a dialkylamine (e.g.,&#39; diethylamine) in diethyl ether and mixing the resulting solution in the cold (preferably at lC. to C.) with a solution of butyl lithium in hexane or tetrahydrofuran and subsequently allowing this mixture to react. The dialkylamine lithium obtained is advantageously reacted with the ester at room temperature.  
  When X, in the compound of formula l-A above is lower alkoxy carbonyl, phenoxycarbonyl, or substituted phenoxycarbonyl, these esters can be converted to the corresponding acid by saponfication in the manner mentioned hereinbefore. The resulting acids can be converted into acid chlorides by conventional means such as by treatment with thionyl chloride, preferably in the presence of pyridine. The acid halide can be transformed into an ester by reaction with a lower alkanoyl, phenol or a substituted phenol. On the other hand, the acid halide can be transformed into an acid amide by reaction with ammonia, a mono-substituted amine, a di-substituted amine or a cyclic amine such as imidazole, utilizing conventional procedures well known in the art.  
  In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, an intermediate of the formula wherein R is as above via a Wittig reaction with a compound of the formula XXII CH2-&#39;P- wherein Y is chlorine, bromine or iodine to produce a compound of the formula XXIZZ wherein R is as above.  
  This Wittig reaction is carried out in the manner described hereinbefore. The compound of formula XXIII above is converted to a compound of formula of formula XXIV is converted to a compound having the formula:  
 XXIV  
 XXV  
  wherein R is as above by treatment with selenium dioxide in the manner described in connection with step (b).  
  The compound of formula XXV is converted to the compound of formula XX by treatment with an oxidizing agent such as manganese dioxide or any of the other oxidizing agents as described in connection with step (c).  
  The following examples are illustrative of the invention and are not to be construed as limited thereof. In the examples, all temperatures are in degrees centigrade. The term concentrated sulfuric acid as utilized in the examples designates an aqueous solution containing 96% by weight of sulfuric acid. The petroleum ether utilized in these examples had a boiling point of l05C. The term dilute sulfuric acid as utilized in the examples is an aqueous solution containing 12% by weight of sulfuric acid.  
 EXAMPLE 1 1.5 G. of 4-( l,2-epoxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohex-3- en-l-yl)-but-3-en-2-one (designated in the following by 5,6-epoxy-3,4-dehydro-B-ionone) are treated with 25 ml. of abs. tetrahydrofuran and, after the addition of 3 g. of pulverized selenium dioxide, shaken with nitrogen gassing for 12 hours. The reaction mixture is thereupon diluted with 100 ml. of diethyl ether and then filtered. The filtrate is successively washed with 0.5-N aqueous sodium hydroxide and water, dried over sodium sulphate and evaporated under reduced pressure to produce 4-( l,4-dihydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohex-2-enl-yl)-but-3-en-2-one as a yellow oil.  
 EXAMPLE 2 The yellow oil 4-(1,4-dihydroxy-2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-l-yl)-but-3-en-2-one is taken up in 50 ml. of acetone and subsequently treated at C. with 1.13 ml. of a chromic acid solution [26.72 g. of chromium trioxide, 23 ml. of conc. sulphuric acid, water to 100 ml.]. After minutes, the reaction mixture is poured onto ice and extracted with diethyl ether. The ether extract is successively washed with a saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and with water, dried over sodium sulphate and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residual oily yellowcolored 4-( 1- hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxo-cyclohex-Z-en-l-yl)- but-3-en-2-one is purified by adsorption on the 100- fold amount of Kieselgel [eluting agent: hexane/acetic acid ethyl ester 1 :2]. After recrystallization from benzene/hexane, the compound melts at 1 12C.  
 EXAMPLE 3 19 G. of 4-(2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohex-l,3-dien-l-yl)- but-3-en-2-one [3,4-dehydro-B-ionone] are dissolved in 300 ml. of methylene chloride and, with stirring at 3 to 5C, treated little by little with 23.5 g. of mchloroperbenzoic acid. The reaction mixture is further stirred at 0C. for 2 hours, then poured into a mixture of 300 ml of ice-water and 46 ml. of 3-N aqueous sodium hydroxide. The methylene chloride layer is separated off and washed neutral with water. The aqueous phase is exhaustively extracted with diethyl ether. The ether extract obtained, together with the methylene chloride phase, is dried over sodium sulphate and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residual lightyellow colored oily 5,6-epoxy-3,4-dehydro-B-ionone is purified by adsorption on the 50-fold amount of Kieselgel [granule size 0.2-0.5 mm]. [Eluting agent: hexane/acetic acid ethyl ester 7:2 parts by volume].  
 EXAMPLE 4 3.2 G. of 3-methyl-5-(l,2-epoxy-2,6,6-trimethylreaction mixture is thereupon diluted with 150 ml. of 45 diethyl ether and filtered clear. The ethereal solution is washed three times with cold 0.5-N aqueous sodium hydroxide and subsequently 3 times with water, dried -over sodium sulphate and evaporated under reduced pressure. There resulted 3-methyl-5-(1,4-dihydroxy- 2,6 ,6-trim ethyl-cyclohex-Z-enl -yl )-penta-2-cis/ trans, 4-trans-dien-l-oic acid ethyl ester as a yellow oil.  
 EXAMPLE 5 3.4 G. of 3-methyl-5-( l,4-dihydroxy-2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-l-yl)-penta-2-cis/trans, 4-trans-dien-loic acid ethyl ester are dissolved in 100 ml. of acetone and treated at 0C. with 4.33 ml. of a chromic acid solution [26.72 g. of chromium trioxide, 23 ml. of cone. sulphuric acid, water to 100 ml.]. After 5 minutes, the reaction mixture is poured onto ice and extracted with diethyl ether. The ether phase is washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution then with water, dried over sodium sulphate and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residual dark-yellow oily 3- methyl-5-( l-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxo-cyclohex- 2-en-l-yl)-penta-2-cis/trans, 4-trans-dien-1-oic acid ethyl ester can subsequently be saponified as follows without further purification.  
 EXAMPLE 6 I After the addition of a solution of g. of potassium I hydroxide in 70 ml. of methanol and 30 ml. of water, 2.9 g. of 3-methyl-5-( l-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxocyclohex-Z-en-l-yl)-penta-2-cis/trans, 4-trans-dien-loic acid ethyl ester are stirred at room temperature for 24 hours. The reaction mixture is subsequently concentrated under reduced pressure. The concentrate is taken up in water and extracted with diethyl ether. The aqueous phase is slightly acidified with dilute sulphuric acid and again extracted with diethyl ether. The lastobtained ether extract is washed 3 times with water, decolorized with the aid of active charcoal, dried over sodium sulphate and treated with high-boiling petroleum ether up to incipient crystallization. The 3-methyl-5-( lhydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxo-cyclohex-2-en-1-yl)- penta-2-cis-4-trans-dien-l-oic acid which precipitates melts at l85l86C.  
 EXAMPLE 7 3.85 G. of sodium hydride [50% by weight suspension in mineral oil] are overlaid with 150 ml. of abs. dioxan and treated dropwise at 10C. with 31 g. of di(2- 25 chlorophenyl)-ethoxy-carbonylmethyl-phosphine oxide. The mixture is stirred at room temperature for minutes, then again cooled to 10C. and treated dropwise with a solution of 15 g. of 5,6-epoxy-3,4-dehydro- B-ionone [manufactured according to Example 3] in 30 20 ml. of dioxan. The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for 12 hours, and after decomposition of the excess sodium hydride by caution addition of ethanol, poured into an ice/sodium chloride mixture and exhaustively extracted with diethyl ether. The  
  ether extract is washed with water, dried-over sodium sulphate and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residual yellow, oily 3-methyl-5-( l,2-epoxy-2,6,6- trimethyl-cyclohex-S-en-l -yl )-penta-2-cis/trans, 4- trans-dien-l-oic acid ethyl ester is purified by adsorption on the 80-fold amount of Kieselgel [eluting agent: hexane/acetic acid ethyl ester 7:l parts by volume]. B.p. about l65C/0.05 mm Hg.  
 EXAMPLE 8 6 G. of 3-methyl-5-( 1 ,2-epoxy-2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-3-enl -yl)-penta-2-cis, 4-trans-dienl -oic acid methyl ester are dissolved in 125 ml. of dioxan and, after the addition of 5 g. of pulverized selenium dioxide, stirred at room temperature for hours. The reaction solution is filtered clear. The filtrate is diluted with 250 ml. of hexane and, after the addition of 6.2 g. of mercury (II) chloride, intensively stirred in 150 ml. of water for 5 hours. The mixture is subsequently filtered. The filtrate is diluted with diethyl ether, washed neutral wth waer, dried over sodium sulphate and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residual isomer mixture consisted of 3-methyl-5-( l ,4-cis-dihydroxy- 2 ,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohex-2-enl -yl )-penta-2-cis, 4-transdien-l-oic acid methyl ester and 3-methyl-5- l ,4-trans-dihydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohex 2-en l yl)-penta-2-cis, 4-trans-dien-l-oic acid methyl ester.  
 EXAMPLE 9 6.3 G. of the isomer mixture of 3-methyl-5-(l,4- cis/ transdihydroxy-Z ,6 ,6-trimethyl-cyclohex-Z-en-l -yl)- penta-Z-cis, 4-transdien-l-oic acid methyl ester are dissolved in 150 ml. of acetone and treated at 0C. with 8.45 ml. of a chromic acid solution [26.72 g. of chromium trioxide, 23 ml. of conc. sulphuric acid, water to methylene chloride and at 100 ml.]. After 10 minutes, the reaction mixture is poured onto ice and extracted with diethyl ether. The ether extract is washed with a saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and with water, dried over sodium sulphate and evaporated. The residual yellow oily 3-methyl-5-( l-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxocyclohex-2-enl -yl)-penta-2-cis, 4-trans-dienl -oic acid methyl ester is purified by adsorption on&#39;the 40- fold amount of Kiese&#39;lgel [eluting agent: hexane/acetic acid ethyl ester 1:1 parts by volume]. After recrystallization from high-boiling petroleum ether with the addition of a little diethyl ether, the ester melts at 96C.  
 EXAMPLE 10 After the addition of a solution of 6 g. of potassium hydroxide in 45 ml. of methanol and ml. of water, 1.8 g. of 3-methyl-5-( l-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxocyclohex-Z-enl -yl)-penta-2-cis, 4-trans-dien-1-oic acid methyl ester are stirred at room temperature for 12 hours. The reaction mixture is thereupon diluted EXAMPLE 1 l 6 G. of 3-methyl-5-(2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohexa-1,3- dien-1-yl)-penta-2-cis, 4-trans-dien-l-oic acid methyl ester [prepared from di(2-chlorophenyl)- methoxycarbonyl-methyl-phosphine oxide and 5,6- epoxy-3,4-dehydro-B-ionone as described in Example 9] are dissolved in 60 ml. of methylene chloride and treated dropwise at 0C. with a solution of 5.3 g. of mchloro-perbenzoic acid in 60 ml. of methylene chloride. The reaction mixture is further stirred at 0C. for 90 minutes, then poured into a mixture of ice and 10 ml. of 3-N aqueous sodium hydroxide. The methylene chloride layer is separated off, washed with water, dried over sodium sulphate and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residual yellow, oily 3-methyl-5- l ,2-epoxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohex-3-en-1-yl)-penta- 2-cis, 4-trans-1-oic acid methyl ester can be purified by adsorption on the 40-fold amount of Kieselgel [eluting agent: hexane/acetic acid ethyl ester 9:1].  
 EXAMPLE 12 29 G. of 3-methyl-5-(2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohexa-l,3- dien-l-yl)-penta-2,4-dien-1-al was dissolved in 50 ml of 2,3 g. of mchloroperbenzoic acid were added. The temperature rose to 8. The reaction mixture was allowed to stand at 0 for 1 hour and then poured onto ice and 5 ml of 3N aqueous sodium hydroxide. After extraction with ether, the organic phase was washed with water, dried and evaporated to dryness. The crude product was chromatographed on 40-fold amount of aluminium oxide (neutral, activity grade III (Woelm) with hexane/acetic acid ethyl ester (6:1).  
  The crude, light yellow oil was used directly for the next step as described in Examples 1, 4 and 14.  
 EXAMPLE 13 By the procedure of Examples 1, 2 and 3: 3-Methyl-5-(2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohexa-1,3-dien-1- yl)-penta-2,4-dien-1-oic acid n-pentyl ester is converted to 3-methy1-5-(1,2-epoxy-2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-3-en-l-yl)-penta-2,4-dien-l-oic acid n-pentyl ester, which then is converted to 3-methyl-5-( 1-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxocyclohex-Z-en-l-yl)-penta-2,4-dien-l-oic acid n-pentyl ester [oil];  
  3-methyl-5-(2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohexal ,3-dienl yl)-penta-2,4-dien1-oic acid phenyl ester is converted to 3-methyl-5-( l,2-epoxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohex-3- en-l-yl)-penta-2,4-dien-l-oic acid phenyl ester which then is converted to 3-methyl-5-( l-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxocyclohex-2-en-1-yl)-penta-2,4-dien-l-oic acid phenyl ester [m.p. 146-l47C];  
  3-methyl-5-(2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohexa-1,3-dien-lyl)-penta-2,4-dien-1-oic acid p-nitrophenyl ester is converted to 3-methyl-5-( l,2-epoxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohex-3- en-l-yl)-penta-2,4-dien-l-oic acid p-nitrophenyl ester which then is converted to 3-methyl-5-( 1-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxocyclohex-Z-en-l-yl)-penta-2,4-dien-l-oic acid nitrophenyl ester [m.p. l58-l63C];  
  3-methyl-5-(2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohexa-1,3-dien-lyl)-penta-2,4-dien-l-oic acid p-methyl sulfonyl-phenyl ester is converted to 3-methyl-5-( l,2-epoxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohex3- en-l-yl)-penta-2,4-dien-1-oic acid p-methyl sulfonylphenylester which then is converted to 3-methyl-5-( l-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxocyclohex-2-enl -yl )-penta-2,4-dienl -oic acid methyl sulfonyl-phenylester [m.p. l61l66C];  
  3-methyl-5-( 2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohexa-l ,3-dienl yl)-penta-2,4-dien-1-oic acid-nitrile is converted to 3-methyl-5-( l,2-epoxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-cyc1ohex-3- en-l-yl)-penta-2,4-dien-l-oic acid-nitrile which then is converted to 3-methy1-5-(1-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4- oxo-cyclohex-Z-en-yl)-penta-2,4-dienl -oic acid-nitrile [m.p. l72173C];  
  l-benz0yl-3-methyl-5-(2,6,6 trimethyl-cyclohexal,3-dien-1-yl)-penta-2,4-dien is converted to l-benzoyl-3-methy1-5-( 1,2-epoxy-2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-3-en-l-yl)-penta-2,4-diene which then is converted to l-benzoyl-3-methyl-5-( 1-hydroxy-2,6,6- trimethyl-4-oxo-cyclohex-2-enl -yl )-penta-2 ,4-dien 3-methyl-5-( 2,6,6-trimethyI-cyclohexa-l ,3-dien-l yl)-penta-2,4-dien-1- acid-imidazolide is converted to 3-methyl-5-( 1 ,2-epoxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohex-3- en-1-yl)-penta-2,4-dien-l-oic acid-imidazolide which then is converted to 3-methyl-5-(1-hydroxy-2,6,6- trimethyl-4-oxo-cyclohex-2-enl -yl)-penta-2,4-dienl oic acid-imidazolide [m.p. l65-l75C.]; and  
  3-methyl-5-( 2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohexa-l ,3 -dienl yl)-penta-2,4-dien-l-al is converted to 3-methyl-5-( l,2-epoxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohex-3- en-l-yl)-penta-2,4-dienl-al which then is converted to 3-methyl-5-( l-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxocyclohex-2-en-1-yl)-penta-2,4-dien-l-al 113-1l5C].  
 EXAMPLE 14 In 60 ml. of tetrahydrofuran, there was dissolved 2.8 g. of 3-methyl-5-( l,2-epoxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohex- 3-en-l-yl)-penta-2,4-dienyl acetate. After the addition of 6.5 g. of selenium dioxide, the mixture was allowed to stand for 45 hours at room temperature. After this period, the reaction mixture was diluted with 150 ml. of diethyl ether and filtered. The ether solution was washed 3 times with 0.5 N aqueous sodium hydroxide and then 3 times with water. The reaction mixture was then dried over sodium sulfate and then evaporated under vacuum. After evaporation, there resulted 3- methyl-5-( l,4&#39;-dihydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohex-2- en-l-yl)-penta-2,4-dienyl acetate as a crude oil.  
 EXAMPLE 15 In 100 ml of methylene chloride there was dissolved 3 g. of 3-methyl-5-(l,4-dihydroxy-2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-l-yl)-penta-2,4-dienyl acetate and 30 g. of manganese dioxide. The resulting reaction mixture was shaken for 24 hours at room temperature. After this period, the reaction mixture was filtered and then evaporated to dryness under vacuum. From the resulting oily product, 3-methyl-5-( l-hydroxy-2,6,6- trimethyl-4-oxo-cyclohex-2-enl -yl)-penta-2-cis-4- trans-dienyl acetate was obtained. This product was obtained in crystalline form by fractional crystallization from a mixture of hexane and diethyl ether. The resulting product had a melting point of ll0lC.  
 EXAMPLE l6 In 20 ml of methanol, there was dissolved 2 g. of 3- methyl-S-(l-hydroxy2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxo-cyclohex- 2-en- 1 -yl )-penta-2-cis-4-trans-dienyl acetate. After the addition of 15 g. of sodium hydroxide in ml. of water to the solution, the reaction mixture was allowed to stand for 1 hour at room temperature under constant stirring. After this, 100 ml. of water were added to the solution and the solution was extracted with diethyl ether. The resulting ether solution was washed neutral with water and then dried by evaporation under vacuum. From the residue, the product 3-methyl-5-( lhydroxy-2 ,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxo-cyclohex- 2- l -yl )-penta- 2-cis-4-trans-dien-l-ol was crystallized utilizing a mixture of hexane and acetic acid ethyl ester. The product had a melting point of l26l28C.  
 EXAMPLE 1? 50 G. of 3,4-dehydro-cyclogeranyl-triphenyl phosphonium bromide, which was obtained by reacting equimolar amounts of 3,4-dihydro-cyclogeranyl bromide l-bromornethyl-2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohexal ,3- diene) with triphenyl phsophine, was dissolved in 250 ml. of dimethyl formamide. To the resulting solution there was added a solution containing 2.3 g. of sodium in 75 ml. of absolute alcohol. After the sodium ethoxide solution was added, 14 g. of 3-formyl-2-butenyl acetate in 20 ml. of dimethyl formamide was added to the reaction mixture. The resulting reaction mixture was stirred for 5 hours at 0C. and then acidified with a dilute sulfuric acid solution. There resulted a light yellow oily suspension which was extracted with hexane. The hexane extract was washed neutral with water and then dried over sodium sulfate. The solvent was removed from the reaction medium by evaporation utilizing vacuum. After evaporation, a light oil resulted. This oil was purified by adsorption on Kieselgel and eluting with benzene. The resulting product was 3-methyl-5-(2,6,6-  
 EXAMPLE 18 In 200 ml. of methylene chloride there was dissolved 12 g. of 3-methyl-5-(2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohexa-l,3- dien-l-yl)-penta-2,4-dien&#39;yl acetate. The resulting solution was cooled to 0C. At this temperature 5.6 g. of mchloroperbenzoic acid was added protionwise. The reaction mixture was allowed to stand for 60 minutes at 0C. under constant stirring and poured on a mixture of ice and 20 ml. of 3 N aqueous sodium hydroxide. After this period, the methylene chloride phase was separated and washed with water. After washing, this phase was dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure. After evaporation there resulted 3-methyl-5-( 1,2-epoxy-2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-3-en-l-yl)-penta-2,4-dienyl acetate as a yellow oil. This yellow oil was purified by adsorption on a 50 fold amount of Kieselgel (eluting agent: hexane/acetic acid ethyl ester 10:1 parts by volume).  
 EXAMPLE 19 In the manner of Examples l8, l4 and 15:  
  3-methyl-5 2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohexal ,3-dienl yl)-penta-2,4-dienyl benzoate was converted to 3-methyl-5-( l,2-epoxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohex-3- en-l-yl)-penta-2,4-dienyl benzoate which then was converted to 3-methyl-5-( l-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4- oxo-cyclohex-Z-enl -yl)-penta-2,4-dienyl benzoate (m.p.  
  3-methyl-5-( 2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohexal ,3-dienl yl)-penta-2,4-dienyl-2&#39;,4&#39;-dinitro benzoate was converted to 3-methyl-5-( l,2-epoxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohex-3- en- 1 -yl )-penta-2,4-dienyl-2 ,4&#39;-dinitro benzoate which then was converted to 3-methyl-5-( l-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4oxocyclohex-2-enl -yl)-penta-2,4-dienyl-2 ,4 &#39;-dinitro benzoate; (m.p. l30-l31);  
  3-methyl-5-(2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohex-1,3-dien-l-yl)- penta-2,4-dienyl naphthoate was converted to 3- methyl-5-( 1 ,2-epoxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohex-3-enl yl)penta-2,4-dienyl naphthoate which then was converirted to 3-methyl-5-(l-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4- oxo-cyclohex-Z-enl -yl)-penta-2,4-dienyl naphthoate (m.p. l26-l27);  
  3-methyl-5-(2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohexa-l ,3-dienl yl)-penta-2,4-dienyl-4-methyl benzoate was converted to 3-methyl5( l,2-epoxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohex-3- en-l-yl)-penta-2,4-dienyl-4-methyl benzoate which then was converted to 3-methyl-5-(l-hydroxy-2,6,6- trimethyl-4-oxo-cyclohex-2-enl -yl)-penta-2,4-dienyl- 4&#39; methyl benzoate (m.p. 119);  
  3-methyl-5-(2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohexa-1,3-dien-lyl)-penta-2,4-dienyl-4&#39;-chloro benzoate was converted to 3-methyl-5-( l,2-epoxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohex-3- en-l-yl)-penta-2,4-dienyl-4-chloro benzoate which then was converted to 3-methyl-5-(l-hydroxy-2,6,6- trimethyl-4-oxo-cyclohex-2-en- 1 -yl)-penta-2,4-dienyl- 4&#39;-chloro benzoate (m.p. 123);  
  3-methyl-5-(2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohexa-l ,3-dienl yl)-penta-2,4-dienyl-4&#39;-nitro benzoate was converted to 3-methyl-5-( l,2-epoxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohex-3- en-1-yl)-penta-2,4-dienyl-4&#39;-nitro benzoate which then was converted to 3-methyl-5-(l-hydroxy-2,6,6- trimethyl-4-oxo-cyclohex-2-en-l-yl)-penta-2,4-dienyl- 4&#39;-nitro benzoate (m.p. l35l36);  
  3-methyl-5-( 2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohexa-l ,3-dien-lyl)-penta-2,4-dienyl-chloro acetate was converted to 3-methyl-5-( l ,2-epoxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohex-3-en- 1-yl)-penta-2,4-dienyl-chloro acetate which then was converted to 3-methyl-5-( l-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4- oxo-cyclohex-Z-en-l-yl)-penta-2,4-dienyl-chloro acetate (m.p. 99l00).  
 EXAMPLE 20 All of the products in Example 19 were utilized by the procedure of Example 16 to produce 3-methyl-5- 1-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxo-cyclohex2-enl -yl)- penta-2,4-dien-l-ol.  
 We claim:  
 1. A compound of the formula:  
 wherein R is Cl-l and X is lower alkoxy carbonyl.  
  2. The compound of claim 1 wherein said compound is 3-methyl-5-( 2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohex-3-enl -y] penta-2,4-dien-l-oic acid methyl ester.  
  3. The compound of claim 1 wherein said compound is 3-methyl-5-( l,2-epoxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohex-3- en-l-yl)-penta-2,4-dien-l-oic acid ethyl ester.  
  4. A compound of claim 1 wherein said compound has the formula enl -y] )-penta-2,4-dienyl-4 &#39;-nitro benzoate.  
 UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 3,876,669 DATED April 8, 1975 lN\/ ENTOR(S) Ulrich Schweiier and Norbert Rigassi It is certifi ed that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:  
 &#34;3-methy1- 5- (2 6 6-&#34; should be 3 methyl 5 (1 2 epoxy CH 0 3 Columri 18, Claim 4, line 3 CH=CH- C -CH--CH O--CR should be [SEAL] cH=cH- ==cH-cH ---0 !R Signed and Scaled this Thirtieth Day of November 1976 A nest:  
 RUTH C. MASON Arresting Officer C. MARSHALL DANN Commissioner oj&#39;larems and Trademarks UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENTNO.: 3,876,669  
 DATED Apri18,1975  
 INVENTO R(S) Ulrich Schweiier and Norbert Rigassi It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below;  
  Column 18, Claim 2, line 2 &#34;3-methy1-5- (2,6,6-&#34;  
 should be 3 methyl 5 (1,2 epoxy 2, CH O 3 t Column 18, Claim 4, line 3 CH=CH- C=CH-CH-2 o-t:-R&#39;  
 should be I CH 0 3 ll CH=cH- =CH--CH-&#39;0CR3 Signed and Scaled this Thiru&#39;eth Day of November 1976 [SEAL] Arrest:  
 RUTH C. MASON Attegting Officer