Abstract: A process for preparing a macrocyclic lactone comprising 14 to 17 ring carbon atoms, the process comprising the steps of i) subjecting a reaction mixture comprising an olefin-containing random polyester, formed by metathesis to a cyclo-depolymerization reaction to form the macrocyclic lactone, and ii) concomitant removal of the macrocyclic lactone from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A method of forming a macrocyclic musk compound comprising the steps of:— i) cross-metathesizing a first olefin and a second olefin in the presence of a homogeneous transition metal catalyst comprising an alkylidene ligand, to form a statistical mixture of a hetero-dimer intermediate of said first and second terminal olefin, and homo-dimers ii) separating the hetero-dimer from the statistical mixture of hetero- and homo-dimers iii) and cyclizing the hetero-dimer intermediate to form the macrocyclic musk compound.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of carvone comprises hydrogenating carvoxime in the presence of a selecively poisoned catalyst. Preferred catalysts include noble metals supported on inorganic materials poisoned with a catalyst modifier. In a preferred embodiment of the process defined herein, the crude carvone reaction product produced in accordance with the process of the invention, is purified by treating the crude carvone product with an organometallic compound M(X)n wherein M is a polyvalent metal, n is the valence of M and X denotes an inorganic or organic atom or group.

Abstract: Norlabdane oxide, which is a well known fragrance material having ambergris-type odors, is prepared from 12-acetoxy-norlabdane oxide by a hydrogenation reaction.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for preparing (-)-norlabdane oxide from sclareol oxide comprising the steps of:I converting sclareol oxide to 12-acetylnorlabdane oxide by oxidation with an organic hydroperoxide;II converting 12-acetylnorlabdane oxide to 12-acetoxy-norlabdane oxide by oxidation with an organic peracid.Step I is preferably performed with tert-butyl hydroperoxide and step II with peracetic acid.Sclareol oxide may be prepared from sclareol by ozonolysis followed by treatment with alkaline hydrogen peroxide. 12-Acetoxy-norlabdane oxide is preferably converted to norlabdane oxide by reduction with NaBH.sub.4 in the presence of a transition metal salt.