| abstract |
The present invention provides a novel process for producing alpha , beta -unsaturated aldehydes including industrial important fragrances such as citral and sinensal, starting materials for preparing pharmaceutical drugs such as senecioaldehyde, farnesal, 8-acetoxy-2,6-dimethyl-2,6-octadienal and the like, directly and in high yield, from formic acid esters of allylic alcohols in the presence of a catalytic amount of aluminum alkoxide by the oxidation of the corresponding aldehyde. |