Graphical abstract, 1,1,6-Trimethyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalene (TDN), an aroma compound present in wine, is used for sensory and physicochemical analyses. Therefore, synthesis of TDN of high purity is required for these purposes. Optimization of TDN synthesis in order to facilitate its subsequent purification was described. As a result, ≥99.5 % of TDN purity was reached. • The possibility of using both α-ionone and β-ionone as starting substances was demonstrated • Modifications of the use of reagents in the second and third steps of TDN synthesis were proposed