[0001] This invention relates to compounded perfumery compositions to ingredients of such
compositions certain of which are believed to be novel and to processes for the preparation
of these ingredients and novel intermediates for use in these processes.
[0002] The perfumery compositions to which this invention relates are those of the type
where a number of odiferous materials of synthetic or natural origin are admixed or
compounded to form a perfumery concentrate. Such concentrates may find use as such
or after dilution but more usually they are added in small proportions to other materials
such as to space sprays or to soap, detergent, cosmetic or deodorant compositions
or to substrates such as fabric, fibre, or paper products in order to provide them
with agreeable olfactory properties. Thus such concentrates are products of commerce
and may comprise a simple or complex mixture of perfumery compounds.
[0003] The perfumery industry devotes a great deal of effort to the evaluation of the odiferous
properties of a variety of chemical compounds which may be obtained from synthetic
or natural sources. One group of chemicals which are the subject of particular interest
is composed of the synthetic derivatives of terpenic hydrocarbons. Of the many such
derivatives which have been synthesised only a small proportion have proved to have
sufficiently attractive odiferous properties to become widely used as ingredients
of compounded perfumery compositions.
[0004] We have now discovered that a group of products which may be prepared from the triene
allo-ocimene (2,6 dimethyl - octa - 3,5,7 - triene) which are useful as ingredients
of compounded perfumery compositions.
[0005] This group of products may be obtained by means of a Prins reaction between allo-ocimene
and formaldehyde,
[0006] . The Prins reaction between allo-ocimene and paraformaldehyde in dichloromethane
under reflux in the presence of acetic acid has been reported in Nippon Kagaku Kaishi
1977 (8) p1253-5. The product of this reaction is reported to comprise a mixture of
a dihydropyran having the formula:-

and the cis and trans isomers of a dioxan having the formula:-

[0007] These compounds have now been discovered to possess attractive floral odours. Thus
from one aspect our invention provides a compounded perfumery composition which comprises
a plurality of odoriferous ingredients together with at least one compound having
the formula I:-

wherein X may represent an oxygen atom in which case R
1 represents a 4-methyl penta-1,3-dien-1-yl group and R
2 represents a hydrogen atom or X may represent a methinyl group which is doubly bonded
to C
1 and singly bonded to C
2 in which case R
1 disappears and R
2 represents a 2-methyl-prop-1-en-l-yl group.
[0008] The compound wherein X represents a methinyl group i.e. the dihydropyran and the
compound wherein X represents an oxygen atom i.e. the dioxan both exist in two stereoisomeric
forms i.e. cis and trans geometrical isomers. Mixtures of these isomers or the individual
stereoisomers are useful according to our invention.
[0009] The dihydropyran has been discovered to possess an attractive floral odour. The dioxan
has been discovered to possess a floral odour having a degree of citrus character.
[0010] The novel perfumery compositions may be compounded according to recognised techniques
or perfumery employing known odiferous perfumery ingredients, e.g. techniques and
ingredients mentioned in the standard textbooks "Soap, Perfumery and Cosmetics" by
W.A. Poucher, 7th edition published by Chapman & Hall (London) 1959; "Perfume and
Flavour Chemicals" by S. Arctander, published by the author (Montclair) 1959 and "Perfume
and Flavour Materials of Natural Origin" also by S.Arctander, self-published, Elizabeth
NJ, 1960.
[0011] Typical perfumery materials which may form part of compounded composition include:
natural essential oils such as lemon oil, mandarin oil, clove leaf oil, petitgrain
oil, cedar wood oil, patchouli oil, lavandin oil, neroli oil, ylang oil, rose absolute
or jasmin absolute; natural resins such as labdanum resin or olibanum resin; single
perfumery chemicals which may be isolated from natural sources or manufactured synthetically,
as for example alcohols such as geraniol, nerol, citronellol, linalol, tetrahydro-
geraniol, betaphenylethyl alcohol, methyl phenyl carbinol, dimethyl benzyl carbinol,
menthol or cedrol; acetates and other esters derived from such alcohols; aldehydes
such as citral, citronellal, hydroxy-citronellal, lauric aldehyde, undecylenic aldehyde,
cinnamaldehyde, amyl cinnamic aldehyde, vanillin or heliotropin; acetals derived from
such aldehydes; ketones such as methyl hexyl ketone, the ionones and the methylionones;
phenolic compounds such as eugenol and isoeugenol; synthetic musks such as musk xylene,
musk ketone and ethylene brassylate; and other materials commonly employed in the
art of perfumery. Typically at least five, and usually at least ten of such materials
will be present as compounds of the active ingredient.
[0012] Particularly preferred odiferous ingredients of blending into the novel compositions
of our invention include geraniol, phenyl ethyl alcohol, citronellol hydroxycitronellal,
ionones and methyl ionones, eugenol, isoeugenol, amyl and hexyl cinnamic aldehydes,
methyl nonyl acetaldehyde, lemon oil, orange oil and bergamot oil.
[0013] The compounds of the formula I blend readily with other conventional ingredients
of a compounded perfumery composition. They may be present as a major or a minor ingredient
of such compositions but in general they will comprise from 0.5 to 10.0 preferably
from 1.0 to 5.0% by weight of the compounded composition.
[0014] The preferred compound for present use is the dihydropyran. A mixture of its cis
and trans isomers e.g. mixtures comprising from 10 to 90% say from 25 to 75% especially
40 to 60% of the trans isomer exhibit especially attractive odours and are therefore
preferred for present use.
[0015] The use of the dioxan in isolation as an ingredient of a compounded perfumery composition
is less preferred. However, the odours of the dihydropyran and the dioxan compliment
one another and the use of a mixture of these two compounds as an ingredient of a
compounded perfumery composition represents a preferred aspect of our invention. Such
mixtures may for example comprise 10 to 90 mole percent e.g. from 25 to 75 mole percent
most preferably from 40 to 60 mole per cent of the dihydropyran.
[0016] Mixtures of the cis and trans dihydropyran which comprise at least 10% by weight
of the trans isomer are believed to be novel. Thus from another aspect our invention
provides a compound of the formula:-

wherein at least 10% of said compound is present in the form of the trans isomer.
[0017] Preferably at least 25% and more preferably at least 40% of this compound is present
in the form of the trans isomer.
[0018] The compounds which are useful according to our invention may conveniently be prepared
by means of a Prins reaction between allo- ocimene and formaldehyde. For reasons of
convenience we prefer to e react allo-ocimene with paraformaldehyde rather than formaldehyde
itself.
[0019] The reaction may conveniently be carried out in a suitable solvent in which the paraformaldehyde
is soluble. The use of solvents which tend to cause polymerisation of the allo-ocimene
e.g. protonic solvents is less preferred and should be avoided if possible. Preferred
solvents for present use are methylene chloride, glacial acetic acid and chloroform.
[0020] The reaction is preferably carried out by mixing an excess e.g. from 1.0 to 4.0 moles
of allo-ocimene per mole of formaldehye with the formaldehyde and the solvent.
[0021] The reactants are preferably maintained at a temperature of from 20° to 120°C, more
preferably 40 to 65°C for a period of from 2 to 40 say 4 to 30 hours.
[0022] The reaction may be carried out in the presence of a catalyst such as a Lewis acid.
The preferred catalysts for present use are stannic chloride and boron trifluoride.
The preferred solvents for the catalysed reactions are those in which the catalysts
is soluble e.g. chlorinated hydrocarbons such as chloroform. The catalysed reaction
may conveniently be carried out at lower temperatures of from 0 to 60° preferably
20 to 40°C the reactants being maintained at temperatures for a period of from 1 to
24 hours the short timers referring to the higher temperatures. The use of such catalysts
for the reaction is generally less preferable because of the increased tendency of
the allo-ocimene to polymerise. Preferably where it is used the catalysts will be
added in just sufficient a quantity as to be effective in catalysing the Prins reaction
in order to minimise this tendency.
[0023] The product of the reaction is worked up using the conventional techniques of synthetic
organic chemistry. The volatile fraction which can be separated by distillation comprises
unchanged allo- ocimene, the dihydropyran and the dioxan together with a mixture of
three triene alcohols. These triene alcohols are novel and find use as intermediates
in the preparation od dihydropyrans and dioxans. Thus from another aspect our invention
provides the triene alcohols 2,7-dimethyl - 3 - methylene - octa - 4 (trans) - 6 -
diene - ol; 2,3,7-trimethyl-octa - 3 (trans) - 5 (trans) - 7 - triene-1-ol and 2,3,7
trimethyl - octa - 3 (cis) - 5 (trans) - 7 - triene-l-ol.
[0024] The components of the volatile fraction can be separated by frational distillation.
The unreacted allo-ocimene is normally separated from the other components. It may
be convenient or preferably to utilise the remaining product mixture directly as an
ingredient of a compounded perfumery composition.
[0025] The composition of this mxiture is influenced by the conditions under which the reaction
is carried out. In particular the greater the mole ratio of allo-ocimene to formaldehyde
the greater the proportion of dihydropyran which is produced. The formation of the
dihydropyrans is also favoured by the utilisation of an allo-ocimene feedstock which
contains an increased proportion of the 4E6E isomer.
[0026] We have also discovered that it is possible to convert the dioxans and triene alcohols
to the dihydropyrans by heating them in a polar protic solvent. Thus from another
aspect our invention provides a process for the preparation of a compound of the formula:-

which comprises heating a dioxan or a triene alcohol as hereinbefore defined in a
polar protic solvent.
[0027] The dioxans and triene alcohols are preferably produced by the Prins reaction of
formaldehyde and allo-ocimene as hereinabefore described. They may be separated from
the other products of the Prins reaction prior to their conversion to dihydropyrans.
The reaction is preferably carried out by heating the dioxans and/or triene alcohols
to a temperature of from 50 to 100°C.
[0028] We have also discovered the cis dihydropyran may be converted into its trans isomer.
This conversion may be carried out by heating a dihydropyran comprising less than
50% of the trans isomer in a polar protic solvent or by treatment at room temperature
with a Lewis acid. These conversions processes lead to the formation of an equilibrium
mixture comprising 50% of the trans isomer. The preferred conversions may be carried
out at a temperature of from 50 to 100
0.
[0029] This invention is illustrated by the following examples.
EXAMPLE ONE
[0030] 1.2 kg (8.8 moles) of allo-ocimene 250 gram (8.3 moles) of paraformaldehyde and 1
litre of glacial acetic acid were mixed and maintained at a temperature of from 45
to 60
0C for a period of 47 hours. The allo-ocimene had a E,Z ratio of 73.5:26.5. Thereafter,
acetic acid was distilled off using an oil pump whilst maintaining the reaction mixture
of a temperature of less than 45
0C. About 1 litre of a distillate comprising acetic acid and some unreacted allo-ocimene
was removed. The residue was washed three times with water, once with a 5% sodium
.carbonate solution dried over sodium sulphate and filtered to give 1,380 gram of
a yellow liquid product.
[0031] This product was then fractionally distilled under reduced pressure using a 30 cm
Fenske column in order to remove unreacted allo-ocimene. 411 grams of material were
removed the bulk of which was allo-ocimene. The residue was then distilled after removal
of the column to give 195 gram of a product (obtained under pressure of 0.9 mm Hg;
Pot temperature 72-92°C, still head temperature 56-75
0C) which was shown to comprise the dihydropyran of Formula I by GLC analysis. This
product had an attractive rose odour with a distinct metallic note.
EXAMPLE TWO
[0032] Alloocimene (45% 4E 6Z, 55% 4E 6E) 12 grams (0.088 moles) was added to a stirred
suspension of paraformaldehyde (4.0g, 0.133 moles) in methylene chloride (40 mls)
with glacial acetic acid (10 mls). The reaction was stirred for 31 hours at methylene
chloride reflux temperature (42
0C). Excess diethyl ether was then added to the cooled product mixture. The organic
layer was washed with water, dilute sodium hydroxide solution and again with water.
After drying over anhydrous sodium carbonate the organic layer was stripped of solvents
and then micro-distilled under vacuum to remove high boiling polymeric product. The
volatile product, 10g, had the following composition by GLC (9'10% SP2100 on 80/100
supelroport at 140
0C with Flame Ionisation Detector):

EXAMPLE THREE
[0033] Alloocimene, 45% 4E 6Z, 55% 4E 6E, (2kg, 14.7 mol) was added to a stirred suspension
of paraformaldehyde, 400 gm 13.3 moles, in glacial acetic acid 1500 ml. The reaction
mixture was stirred for 30 h within the temperature range 40 to 45
0C. After cooling, a small amount of residual paraformaldehyde was filtered out and
the filtrate water washed to extract acetic acid. The oil was then distilled under
vacuum to remove high boiling polymeric product. The volatile product 1967g, had the
following composition by GLC (9'10% SP 2100 on supelcoport at 140°C with Flame Ionisation
Detector).

[0034] Fractionation of this product gave:
Recovered allocimene, b.p., 73-77/6 mm Hg 680g
Dihydropyrans, b.p., 84-86°C/mm Hg 600g
Dioxans, b.p., 80-85°C/0.2mm Hg 537g
Mixed dioxans/alcohols b.p. 85-90°C/0.2mm Hg 80g
[0035] The last three fractions were combined to give a product with a rounded floral rose
odour with a sweet citrus dry out.
EXAMPLE FOUR
[0036] Alloocimene (45% 4E6Z, 55% 4E6E) 2kg, 14.7 moles was added to a stirred suspension
of paraformaldehyde (425g 14.1 moles) in glacial acetic acid (1500 ml). The reaction
mixture was stirred for 30 hours within the temperature range 55 to 60
oC. After 12 hours all the paraformaldehyde had dissolved in the reaction medium. After
cooling, the reaction mixture was water washed to extract acetic acid. The oil was
then distilled under vacuum to remove high boiling polymeric product. The volatile
product, 1650g, had the following composition by GLC (9'10% SP2100 on 80/100 supelcoport
at 140
0C with Flame Ionisation Detector):

[0037] Non volatile residue constituted 25% of the charge for distillation. The cis and
trans isomer of the dihydropyran were separated by spinning band fractionation. The
cis isomer had fresh-rose odour with a hint of greenness. The trans isomer had a floral
metalic rose character. The two isomers were combined to give a product with a fresh
floral metallic rose character.
EXAMPLE FIVE
[0038] Alloocimene (96% 4E6E), 160g 1.18 moles, was added to a stirred suspension of paraformaldehyde
(24g, 0.8 mole) in glacial acetic acid (120 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred
for 5 hours within the temperature range 55 to 50°C. After cooling, the reaction mixture
was water washed to extract acetic acid. The oil layer was then distilled under vacuum
to remove high boiling resinous product. The volatile product, 150g, had the following
composition by GLC. (9'10% SP2100 on 80 to 100 supelcoport with Flame Ionisation Detector):

Ratio of Pyrans: Dixons was 2.5.
EXAMPLE SIX
[0039] Stannic chloride (0.1 ml) was added dropwise to a stirred suspension containing alloocimene,
85% 4E6Z 15% 4E6E, (2)g, 0.15 mole) paraformaldehyde (4.5g, 0.15 mole) and anhydrous
chloroform (150ml). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 28 hours and then
filtered to remove a small amount of unreacted paraformaldehyde. The filtrate was
washed twice with 5% sodium carbonate solution (100 ml) and then dried over sodium
sulphate. Distillation gave 16g volatile product containing:

EXAMPLE SEVEN
[0040] 10gm cis dihydropyran was refluxed and stirred with an aqueous solution containing
10% acetic acid (10ml) for 2 hours.
[0041] Separation of the oil layer followed by micro distillation gave 8g of volatile product
containing:-

EXAMPLE EIGHT
[0042] 10g cis and trans dioxans were refluxed and stirred with an aqueous solution containing
5% acetic acid (10ml) for 2 hours.
[0043] Separation of the oil layer followed by micro distillation gave 9g of volatile product
containing:-

EXAMPLE NINE
[0044] A compounded perfumery composition suitable for extrait use (all parts by weight).

EXAMPLE TEN
[0045]

EXAMPLE ELEVEN
[0046] A compounded perfumery composition suitable for use as a base in cosmetic preparations.

EXAMPLE TWELVE
[0047]

1. A compounded perfumery composition which comprises a plurality of odiferous ingredients
characterised in that at least one compound having the formula I:

wherein X may represent an oxygen atom in which case R
1 represents a 4-methyl-penta-1,3, dien-1-yl group and R
2 represents a hydrogen atom or X may represent a methinyl group which is doubly bonded
to C
1 in which case R
1 disappears and R
2 represents a 2-methyl-prop-1-en-1-yl group is present
2. A composition according to claim 1 characterised in that it comprises from 25 to
75 mole percent of the compound wherein X represents a methinyl group in admixture
with the compound, wherein X represents an oxygen atom.
3. A composition according to claim 1 characterised in that X represents a methinyl
group.
4. A composition according to claim 3 the compounds characterised in that X represents
a methinyl group is present a mixture of its cis and trans isomers.
5. A composition according to claim 4 characterised in that it comprises from 25 to
75% of the trans isomer.
6. A composition according to any of the preceding claims characterised in that it
comprises from 0.5 to 10.0% by weight of said compounds of the formula I.
7. A composition according to any of the preceding claims characterised in that it
comprises at least one odiferous ingredient selected from the group consisting of
geraniol, phenyl ethyl alcohol, citronellol, hydroxycitronellal, ionones and methyl
ionones, eugenol, isoeugenol amyl and hexyl cinnamic aldehydes, methyl, nonyl acetaldehyde,
lemon oil, orange oil and bergamot oil.
8. A composition according to either of claims 6 or 7 characterised in that it comprises
at least five other odiferous ingredients.
9. A compound of the formula I wherein X represents a methinyl group characterised
in that it comprises at least 10% of the trans isomer.
10. A compound according to claim 9 characterised in that it comprises at least 25%
of the trans isomer.
11. A process for the preparation of a compound having the formula I wherein X represents
a methinyl group characterised in that it comprises heating a compound of the formula
I wherein X represents an oxygen atom in an aqueous polar protic solvent.
12. A process for the preparation of a compound of the formula I wherein X represents
a methinyl group characterised in that it comprises heating one or more triene alcohols
selected from the groupconsisting of 2,7-dimethyl-3-methylene-octa-4(trans)-6-dien-1-ol,2,3,7-trimethyl-octa-3(trans)-5(trans)-7-triene-I-ol-and
2,3,7, trimethyl-octa-3(cis)-5(trans)-7-triene-1-ol in a polar protic solvent.
13. A process according to either of claims 11 or 12 characterised in that the species
being heated has been obtained by virtue of a Prins reaction between formaldehyde
and allo-ocimene.
14. 2,7-dimethyl-3-methylene-octa-4(trans)-6-dien-1-ol.
15. 2,3,7 trimethyl-octa-3(cis)-5(trans)-7-triene-1-ol.
16. 2,3,7 trimethyl-octa-3(trans)-5(trans)-7-triene-1-ol.
17. A process for the production of the trans isomer of the compound of the formula
I wherein X represents a methinyl group which comprises the isomerisation of the cis
isomer.
18. A process according to claim 17 characterised in that said isomerisation effected
by heating the cis isomer in a polar protec solvent at a temperature of from 50 to
100°C.