| abstract |
Sulphones useful for preparing polyenes have the formula: ##STR1## where the sulphonyl group replaces a hydrogen atom on carbon atom (a) or (b), R represents alkyl, aralkyl or aryl, optionally substituted, A and Q represent an optionally substituted hydrocarbon of 5n+1 carbon atoms (n is 1-5), methyl, optionally substituted by halogen, sulphide or sulphone, CH 2 OH (or an ether or ester thereof), CHO (optionally protected), COOH (or an acid chloride, ester or nitrile thereof), with the proviso that when A represents a 2-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1-enyl) ethenyl radical, Q cannot represent --COOH or an ester thereof. |