Tricyclic hydrocarbon and process for producing the same
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field Of The Invention 
     This invention relates to a tricyclic hydrocarbon, 5,6-epoxy-1,2,6-trimethyltricyclo[5,3,2,0 2 ,7 ]dodecane and to a process for producing this compound. 
     2. Description Of The Prior Art 
     Amber-like fragrant substances are important starting materials for a blended perfume, and, of these substances, ambergris obtainable from sperm whales is the most expensive. The fragrance component of ambergris was clarified by E. Lederer and L. Ruzicka in 1946 to be a substance formed from ambrein which is a triterpene compound. Ever since, many attempts to synthesize amber-like fragrant substances equal to the natural material, or similar substances, have been made. Some of them can be utilized as a substitute for expensive ambergris. For example, manool derivatives, which are diterepene compounds and can be obtained from a special needle-leaf tree, are widely used as such a substitute. However, in general, amber-like fragrant substances are difficult to synthesize and moreover, special natural products are required as a starting material to synthesize amber-like fragrant substances. Therefore, synthetic amber-like fragrant substances are inevitably expensive. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention provides 5,6-epoxy-1,2,6-trimethyltricyclo-[5,3,2,0 2 ,7 ]dodecane having the formula ##SPC2## 
     And a process for producing 5,6-epoxy-1,2,6-trimethyltricyclo-[5,3,2,0 2 ,7 ]dodecane (hereinafter &#34;Compound (I)&#34;) comprising treating 1,2,6-trimethyltricyclo[5,3,2,0 2 ,7 ]dodeca-5-ene (hereinafter &#34;Compound (II)&#34;) with a peracid. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an infrared spectrum of Compound (I) obtained according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a mass spectrum of Compound (I) obtained according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is an NMR spectrum of Compound (I) obtained according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 shows the stereostructural form of a ketone compound obtained by isomerization of Compound (I). 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Compound (I) produced according to the present invention is a sequiterpene compound having the molecular formula, C 15  H 24  O, and a structure represented by the formula (I). ##SPC3## 
     According to this invention, Compound (I) can be obtained much more cheaply than conventional amber-like fragrant substances, and is also of industrial value because of its excellent amber-like fragrance. 
     According to the present invention, Compound (I) can be prepared by reacting one mole of Compound (II) with about 1 to 1.2 moles of a peracid. Examples of suitable peracids which can be used include peracetic acid, perbenzoic acid, perpropionic acid, performic acid, monoperphthalic acid, trifluoroperacetic acid, etc. 
     The reaction can be conducted in the absence of a solvent, but proceeds more smoothly when a solvent which is inert to the peracid employed such as dichloromethane, chloroform, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, ethyl acetate, ethyl propionate, etc., is used. Since acids are formed as the epoxidation reaction progresses, it is desirable to add a neutralizing agent to the reaction system from the beginning or during the course of the reaction or after the completion of the reaction in order to neutralize the acids formed. Suitable examples of neutralizing agents which can be employed are the carbonates or acetates of alkali metals such as sodium and potassium and hydroxides of alkaline earth metals such as calcium and barium. The reaction temperature can range from about -5° to about 10°C, preferably 0° to 5°C. The reaction can sufficiently be completed within about 8 hours, and, for example, the reaction proceeds quantitatively in the preferred temperature range as described above and is completed in about 5 hours in this temperature range. 
     After completion of the reaction, Compound (I) is extracted with a solvent such as dichloromethane, chloroform, etc., and the resulting extract is distilled under reduced pressure, whereby Compound (I) can be obtained in high yield. Compound (II) used as the starting material in the process can be obtained by subjecting 1,5,9-trimethylcyclododecatriene-1,5,9 (hereinafter 1,5,9-TMCDT) which is a cyclic trimer of isoprene to an intramolecular ring closure reaction with an acid catalyst as disclosed in copending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 537,004, filed Dec. 27, 1974 filed simultaneously herewith. 
     Compound (I) is a fragrant substance having a rich natural ambergris-like fragrance and a mystic peculiar wood-like odor reminiscent of a sunshing forest or moist earth, that is, a so called &#34;natural odor&#34; at the same time. When Compound (I) is absorbed in, e.g., filter paper and allowed to stand in a room at room temperature (e.g., about 20°-30°C), the residual fragrance is found to be very strong and to last for over one week. The fragrant odor of Compound (I) is also strong, and even when Compound (I) is diluted with ethyl alcohol, the average person even can perceive Compound (I) even at a one-tenthousandths dilution. 
     The utility value and application range of compound (I) of this invention are wide as a perfumery material. That is, Compound (I) can be widely used as a perfume, for example, as a component for a rich perfume to a perfume for a relatively inexpensive soap, by utilizing its residual fragrance and economy. It is possible to use Compound (I) together with rich natural amber or musk civet, or as a substitute therefor, by utilizing its ambergris-like fragrance, or together with natural sandalwood oil, or vetiver oil, or as a substitute therefor by utilizing its wood-like fragrance, thereby providing a dry and masculine rough scent necessary for a man&#39;s perfume. 
     Now, the present invention will be described in detail, by reference to the following Reference Example, Examples and drawings. The examples are merely illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Unless otherwise indicated, all parts, percents, ratios and the like are by weight. 
     REFERENCE EXAMPLE 
     In a 1l three-necked flask were charged 150 g of 1,5,9-trimethylcyclododecatriene-1,5,9 (melting point: 91°-92°C), 260 ml of formic acid and 150 ml of dichloromethane, and the materials were mixed. The mixture was then maintained at a temperature of 5°to 10°C. Subsequently, a mixed solution of 7.5 ml of sulfuric acid and 40 ml of formic acid was added dropwise thereto over a period of 30 minutes at 5°to 10°C, and the materials were reacted with stirring at that temperature for 3 hours, and further reacted with stirring at room temperature (i.e., about 20° to 30°C) for 3 additional hours. After completion of the reaction, dichloromethane was recovered by distillation, and then formic acid was distilled off water under reduced pressure. Subsequently, the residue was neutralized and washed with a 3% aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, washed with water, and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate, followed by distillation in vacuo at 75°-80°C/0.05 mmHg, whereby 135 g of the fraction of Compound (II) was obtained. 
     As a result of the IR, NMR, and MAS spectra of Compound (I) and also as a result of X-ray crystal structural analysis of a crystalline ketone compound derived from Compound (II), Compound (II) was determined to have the following structural formula (II). ##SPC4## 
     EXAMPLE 1 
     A mixture of 20.4 g (0.1 mole) of Compound (II) and 17 g of sodium carbonate was added to 100 ml of dichloromethane, with stirring. 20.8 g (0.11 mole) of an acetic acid solution containing 40% peracetic acid was added dropwise thereto over a period of 2 hours, while maintaining the solution at 0° to 5°C. The solution was then stirred at that temperature for 2 hours, and further stirred at room temperature for 3 additional hours. Subsequently, the resulting solution was mixed with 200 ml of water and extracted twice with dichloromethane. The extract was washed with an aqueous saturated sodium chloride solution until the extract became neutral, and then dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. Subsequently, dichloromethane was recovered by distillation, and the residue was then distilled in vacuum, whereby 21 g of an oily fraction having a boiling point of 85°-90°C/0.3 mmHg) was obtained in a yield of 95%. 
     
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Refractive Index:                                                         
              n.sub.D.sup.25                                              
                          1.5063                                          
Elemental Analysis:                                                       
              C         H                                                 
 Calculated (%):                                                          
              81.76     10.98                                             
 Found (%):   81.65     11.09                                             
IR Spectrum:                                                              
            Epoxide characteristic absorption:                            
            802 cm.sup..sup.-1, 880 cm.sup..sup.-1, 1240 cm.sup..sup.-1   
MAS Spectrum:                                                             
            M.sup.+ 220 (molecular ion)                                   
NMR Spectrum:                                                             
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 ##SPC5##
 
    
     a. 0.72 ppm (3H, s) 
     b. 0.75 ppm (3H, s) 
     c. 1.18 ppm (3H, s) 
     d. 2.87 ppm (1H, t) 
     Compound (I) was isomerized with a Lewis acid, using the procedures as disclosed in copending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 537,005, filed Dec. 27, 1974, filed simultaneously herewith, whereby a crystalline ketone compound (melting point: 99.5°-100.5°C) was obtained. The structure of the ketone compound thus obtained was directly determined by X-ray crystal structural analysis. 
     
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X-ray Crystal Structural Analysis of the Ketone Compound:                 
Lattice constant:                                                         
            a=7.975A,  b=13.225A, c=7.147A                                
            α=95.7°,                                         
                       β=60.0°,                               
                                  γ=104.2°                   
Space group:                                                              
            P1, Z=2                                                       
Values (A) of X, Y and Z as solid coordinates:                            
Atom     RX          RY          RZ                                       
______________________________________                                    
C1       0.9791      5.7703      1.7584                                   
C2       2.3424      5.6967      2.4672                                   
C3       3.1955      4.4961      2.0121                                   
C4       2.3586      3.2151      1.9691                                   
C5       3.0098      1.9672      1.2955                                   
C6       3.6074      2.3334      -0.0927                                  
C7       2.4712      2.8519      -1.0345                                  
C8       1.5720      3.8637      -0.3559                                  
C9       1.1293      3.4170      1.0436                                   
C10      0.2013      4.4893      1.6283                                   
C11      0.5477      1.9829      0.9738                                   
C12      1.7833      1.0214      1.1082                                   
C13      -1.1340     4.7008      0.8295                                   
C14      1.9438      2.8689      3.4240                                   
C15      4.1078      1.2928      2.1657                                   
01       0.5492      6.8548      1.4110                                   
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     Bonding angle among atoms from the solid coordinates: 
     
         Three Atoms      Bonding Angle                                            
                 (degree)                                                 
______________________________________                                    
C2-C1-C10        117.21                                                   
C1-C2-C3         113.06                                                   
C3-C4-C9         109.94                                                   
C5-C4-C14        109.74                                                   
C4-C5-C12        102.04                                                   
C6-C5-C15        109.29                                                   
C6-C7-C8         112.52                                                   
C4-C9-C10        110.05                                                   
C8-C9-C11        109.68                                                   
C1-C-10-C13      111.65                                                   
C5-C12-C11       104.92                                                   
C2-C1-O1         119.15                                                   
C2-C3-C4         110.94                                                   
C3-C4-C14        107.85                                                   
C9-C4-C14        112.11                                                   
C4-C5-C15        113.57                                                   
C12-C5-C15       111.06                                                   
C7-C8-C9         112.68                                                   
C4-C9-C11        101.76                                                   
C10-C9-C11       115.93                                                   
C9-C10-C13       114.50                                                   
C10-C1-O1        123.46                                                   
C3-C4-C5         116.95                                                   
C5-C4-C9         100.20                                                   
C4-C5-C6         110.94                                                   
C6-C5-C12        109.74                                                   
C5-C6-C7         109.65                                                   
C4-C9-C8         110.69                                                   
C8-C9-C10        108.58                                                   
C1-C10-C9        108.39                                                   
C9-C11-C12       105.50                                                   
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     The stereostructural formula shown in FIG. 4 can be derived from these values. 
     Molecular Formula: C 15  H 24  O 
     As a result, the ketone compound was determined to have the stereostructural formula (III): ##SPC6## 
     From the foregoing result, the stereostructure of Compound (I) of the present invention was determined to be the formula (IV): ##SPC7## 
     EXAMPLE 2 
     The reaction was carried out under the same conditions as directed in Example 1, except that a dichloromethane solution containing 15 g (0.11 mole) of perbenzoic acid in place of the acetic acid solution containing 40% peracetic acid and 5.8 g of sodium carbonate were used, whereby Compound (I) was obtained in a yield of 93%. 
     EXAMPLE 3 
     The following formulation is suitable as a base for a perfume or an eau-de-cologne: 
     
                            g                                                      
Vetiveryl Acetate    80                                                   
Patchouli Oil        150                                                  
Oak Moth             50                                                   
Musk Ketone          20                                                   
Coumarin             10                                                   
Methyl Ionone        80                                                   
Ionone               10                                                   
Hydroxycitronellal   90                                                   
Cinnamic Alcohol     30                                                   
Stearyl Acetate      25                                                   
Phenylethyl Alcohol  40                                                   
Geraniol             50                                                   
Terpineol            15                                                   
Galbanum Oil         10                                                   
Lavender Oil         20                                                   
Bergamot Oil         30                                                   
Ylang-ylang Oil      20                                                   
Compound (I)         70                                                   
                      800 g                                               
 
    
     EXAMPLE 4 
     The following formulation is suitable for a soap perfumery. 
     
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                  g                                                       
Oak Moth Resinoid   50                                                    
Cabdanum            20                                                    
Patchouli Oil       50                                                    
Heliotropine        120                                                   
Musk Ambrette       150                                                   
Vanillin            50                                                    
Benzyl Salicylate   60                                                    
Amyl Salicylate     240                                                   
Geranium Oil        70                                                    
Geraniol            30                                                    
Anisic Aldehyde     60                                                    
Lavandine Oil       60                                                    
Compound (I)        40                                                    
                    1000 g                                                
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     While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.