Compounds of the formula 1

##STR00001##

wherein, R is hydrogen, alkyl or substituted alkyl, aryl or substituted aryl, are useful intermediates in the synthesis of fragrance ingredients such as Ambrox 2

##STR00002##

Compounds of the formula 1

##STR00001##

wherein, R is hydrogen, alkyl or substituted alkyl, aryl or substituted aryl, are useful intermediates in the synthesis of fragrance ingredients such as Ambrox 2

##STR00002##

A process of preparing olefins of the formula (I) is described herein: ##STR00001##
with R.sup.1 being a substituted or unsubstituted (C.sub.1-C.sub.30)hydrocarbyl, and R.sup.2 being a substituted or unsubstituted (C.sub.1-C.sub.20)hydrocarbyl. The process includes reacting a compound of formula (II) ##STR00002##
wherein Ar is chosen from ##STR00003##
in the presence of a palladium-based catalyst and an organic solvent. A process of preparing olefins of the formula (III) is also described: ##STR00004##
with R.sup.3 being a substituted or unsubstituted (C.sub.1-C.sub.30)hydrocarbyl, R.sup.4 being a substituted or unsubstituted (C.sub.1-C.sub.20)hydrocarbyl, and R.sup.5 being a substituted or unsubstituted (C.sub.1-C.sub.30) hydrocarbyl. The process includes reacting a compound of formula (IV) ##STR00005##
wherein Ar is chosen from ##STR00006##
with a compound of formula (V) ##STR00007##
wherein Ar is chosen from ##STR00008##
in the presence of a palladium-based catalyst and an organic solvent.

A process of preparing olefins of the formula (I) is described herein: ##STR00001##
with R.sup.1 being a substituted or unsubstituted (C.sub.1-C.sub.30)hydrocarbyl, and R.sup.2 being a substituted or unsubstituted (C.sub.1-C.sub.20)hydrocarbyl. The process includes reacting a compound of formula (II) ##STR00002##
wherein Ar is chosen from ##STR00003##
in the presence of a palladium-based catalyst and an organic solvent. A process of preparing olefins of the formula (III) is also described: ##STR00004##
with R.sup.3 being a substituted or unsubstituted (C.sub.1-C.sub.30)hydrocarbyl, R.sup.4 being a substituted or unsubstituted (C.sub.1-C.sub.20)hydrocarbyl, and R.sup.5 being a substituted or unsubstituted (C.sub.1-C.sub.30) hydrocarbyl. The process includes reacting a compound of formula (IV) ##STR00005##
wherein Ar is chosen from ##STR00006##
with a compound of formula (V) ##STR00007##
wherein Ar is chosen from ##STR00008##
in the presence of a palladium-based catalyst and an organic solvent.

The present invention relates to a process for preparing 2-haloacrylic esters from 2-hydroxymethyl- or 2-halomethyl- or 2-chlorosulfinyloxymethyl-2-halomalonic diesters. The invention further provides novel 2-halomethyl-2-halomalonic diesters or 2-chlorosulfinyloxymethyl-2-halomalonic diesters which can be used for preparation of the 2-haloacrylic esters.

The present invention relates to a process for preparing 2-haloacrylic esters from 2-hydroxymethyl- or 2-halomethyl- or 2-chlorosulfinyloxymethyl-2-halomalonic diesters. The invention further provides novel 2-halomethyl-2-halomalonic diesters or 2-chlorosulfinyloxymethyl-2-halomalonic diesters which can be used for preparation of the 2-haloacrylic esters.

The present invention relates to a method for the chemical conversion of an unsaturated fatty acid, particularly a carbon chain extension reaction. According to the present invention, a method for extending the length of a carbon chain in an unsaturated fatty acid by two carbon atoms is provided, said method comprising a step of heating a malonic acid ester derivative of an unsaturated fatty acid to reflux in a lower fatty acid solution in the presence of an antioxidative agent. It is preferred that the unsaturated fatty acid is an unsaturated fatty acid having 16 to 24 carbon atoms. It is preferred that the unsaturated fatty acid is selected from the group consisting of linoleic acid, linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, stearidonic acid, icosatetraenoic acid, icosapentaenoic acid, tetracosahexaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. According to the method of the present invention, a carbon chain extension reaction can be completed within a shorter time.

The present invention relates to a method for the chemical conversion of an unsaturated fatty acid, particularly a carbon chain extension reaction. According to the present invention, a method for extending the length of a carbon chain in an unsaturated fatty acid by two carbon atoms is provided, said method comprising a step of heating a malonic acid ester derivative of an unsaturated fatty acid to reflux in a lower fatty acid solution in the presence of an antioxidative agent. It is preferred that the unsaturated fatty acid is an unsaturated fatty acid having 16 to 24 carbon atoms. It is preferred that the unsaturated fatty acid is selected from the group consisting of linoleic acid, linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, stearidonic acid, icosatetraenoic acid, icosapentaenoic acid, tetracosahexaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. According to the method of the present invention, a carbon chain extension reaction can be completed within a shorter time.

A composition comprising K2CO3, KCl, and optionally K2SO4 and/or KHCO3, having a weight content of potassium between 9.0 and 60.0% relative to the total weight of the composition, preferably between 10.0 and 50.0%, more preferably between 10.0 and 40.0%, advantageously between 20.0 and 40.0%.

A composition comprising K2CO3, KCl, and optionally K2SO4 and/or KHCO3, having a weight content of potassium between 9.0 and 60.0% relative to the total weight of the composition, preferably between 10.0 and 50.0%, more preferably between 10.0 and 40.0%, advantageously between 20.0 and 40.0%.