| abstract |
The invention relates to a process for preparing 2,7-dimethyl-2,4,6-octatrienal monoacetals of the general formula Iwhich comprisesa) condensing an ester phosphonium salt of the general formula II or an ester phosphonate of the general formula IIIwith an aldehyde of the formula IVin a Wittig or Wittig-Horner reaction to give an acetal ester of the general formula Vb) reducing the ester of the formula V to give an acetal alcohol of the general formula VIandc) oxidizing the alcohol to 2,7-dimethyl-2,4,6-octatrienal monoacetals of the general formula I, where the substituents have the meaning defined in the description. |