ChemInform Abstract: The OSM (Oxidation State Modification) Concept: Application to a New and Rapid Synthesis of Retinoids

The OSM (oxidation state modification) concept for the elaboration of new synthetic pathways is demonstrated for the synthesis of β-ionylidene acetaldehyde 11 and retinal 13. According to this new scheme, electrophilic addition to ω-heterosubstituted enol ethers 5 of the cationic species 9, generated from β-ionol led to aldehydic intermediates 10 which undergo easy elimination to β-ionylidene acetaldehyde 11. Similarly, retinal 13 was obtained from vinyl-β-ionol 14 and dienol ethers 12, via aldehydes 16.