GB809409A - A process for the manufacture of linalool - Google Patents

Abstract

Linalool is produced by reducing dehydrolinalool [3.7-dimethyl-octyn(1)-en(6)-ol(3)], dissolved in liquid ammonia by means of an alkali metal and an ammonium salt of an acid. Lithium, potassium or, preferably, sodium, may be used as the alkali metal. Any ammonium salt may be used, e.g. the sulphate, chloride, nitrate or acetate, but the salts of strong mineral acids, e.g. the sulphate, are preferred. The dehydrolinalool used as starting material may be produced by the ethinylation of 6-methyl-heptene-(5)-one-(2) in liquid ammonia. If desired, linalool may be made by condensing 6-methyl-hepten(5)-one(2) with acetylene in ammonia in the presence of an alkali-metal and reacting the resulting alkali metal alkoxide of dehydrolinalool in situ with an alkali metal and an ammonium salt. In the examples: (a) 3.7-dimethyl-octyn(1)-en(6)-ol(3) and ammonium sulphate are added to liquid ammonia; the ammonia is distilled off, water is added and linalool is separated from the resulting mixture; (b) 6 - methyl - hepten(5)-one(2) is added to a mixture obtained by bubbling acetylene through a solution of sodium in liquid ammonia; ammonium sulphate and sodium are added and linalool is separated from the resulting mixture; (c) 3,7 - dimethyl - octyn(1) - en(6) - ol(3), ammonium sulphate and sodium are added to liquid ammonia; the ammonia is distilled off and linalool is separated from the remaining mixture; (d) 6 - methyl - hepten(5) - one(2) is added to a solution obtained by bubbling acetylene through a solution of sodium in liquid ammonia; the ammonia is distilled off and ammonium chloride, ammonium sulphate and metallic sodium are added to the resulting mixture and linalool is separated; and (e) 6-methyl-hepten(5)-one(2) is added to a mixture obtained by bubbling acetylene through a solution of lithium in liquid ammonia; ammonium sulphate and metallic sodium are added and linalool is separated.