Abstract: There is provided a method for preparing homofarnesol (1), the method comprising the steps of: a) providing farnesyl chloride (2) b) reacting farnesyl chloride (2) to homofarnesate (3) by alkoxycarbonylation; and c) reacting homofarnesate (3) to homofarnesol (1), wherein the configuration of the double bonds in the compounds 1, 2 and 3 is preserved.

Abstract: The present invention refers to acetates possessing woody creamy sandalwood olfactory properties. The invention further refers to fragrance compositions and consumer products comprising them.

Abstract: A method for increasing the proportion of an enantiomer of undecavertol in an enantiomeric mixture of undecavertol, a method for stereoselectively synthesising undecavertol, and the products thereof.

Abstract: The regio-selective functionalization of a dialkyl benzene compound wherein the ratio of the compound functionalized at position (a) to the compound functionalized at the position (b) is at least 70:30, more particularly at least 80:20, still more particularly at least 85:15, and still more particularly at least 90:10, characterised in that the substituent R is an isobutyl group.

Abstract: A method of making spirogalbanone includes the steps of: (a) subjecting ethynylspirodecanol to a Rupe rearrangement to give a compound of the formula I (b) converting the compound of (a) to a C1-C4 alkyl acetal; (c) subjecting the acetal to a trans-acetalization reaction with allyl alcohol in the presence of a mild acid catalyst; (d) heating the product of (c) in the presence of an acid catalyst to give an allylenolether; and (e) subjecting the product of (d) to a Claisen rearrangement to give spirogalbanone. The method affords an easier and more efficient method of preparation.

Abstract: A method of making spirogalbanone includes the steps of: (a) subjecting ethynylspirodecanol to a Rupe rearrangement to give a compound of the formula I (b) converting the compound of (a) to a C1-C4 alkyl acetal; (c) subjecting the acetal to a trans-acetalisation reaction with allyl alcohol in the presence of a mild acid catalyst; (d) heating the product of (c) in the presence of an acid catalyst to give an allylenolether; and (e) subjecting the product of (d) to a Claisen rearrangement to give spirogalbanone. The method affords an easier and more efficient method of preparation.

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: The regio-selective functionalization of a dialkyl benzene compound wherein the ratio of the compound functionalized at position (a) to the compound functionalized at the position (b) is at least 70:30, more particularly at least 80:20, still more particularly at least 85:15, and still more particularly at least 90:10, characterised in that the substituent R is an isobutyl group.

Abstract: A control panel for a house automation system includes a configurable user interface, a memory for storing a current configuration of the user interface, and a wireless transceiver unit. Said control panel is configured to use said wireless transceiver unit to transmit information descriptive of said current configuration as a response to a query from an external device.

Abstract: A process of preparing cyclic ethers is described. The process involves the reaction of at least one organic compound such as a dioi or a polyol which it has at least one pair of hydroxyl groups separated by 4 or 5 carbon atoms, and which is capable of being converted into an ether linkage, with an organic carbonate in the presence of a base. The base is an alkoxy, a carbonate or a hydroxide base or is a mixture of such bases. At least one of the hydroxyl groups of the organic compound is not a tertiary hydroxyl group.

Abstract: A perfume composition including the compound 4-[(1,5-dimethylhexyl)oxy]butanal in both its racemic and enantiomeric forms.

Abstract: A process of preparing cyclic ethers is described. The process involves the reaction of at least one organic compound such as a dioi or a polyol which it has at least one pair of hydroxyl groups separated by 4 or 5 carbon atoms, and which is capable of being converted into an ether linkage, with an organic carbonate in the presence of a base. The base is an alkoxy, a carbonate or a hydroxide base or is a mixture of such bases. At least one of the hydroxyl groups of the organic compound is not a tertiary hydroxyl group.

Abstract: A perfume composition including at least one compound having the formula: wherein p, q and r are independently selected from 0 and 1, p+q+r being from 0-3 and X1 is saturated or unsaturated, such that: (a) when p+q+r=0, R1, R2 and R12 are Me; R3-5 and R9-11 are H; (b) when p+q+r=1, R1 and R12 are independently selected from H, Me and Et; R2 is selected from H and C1-C4 alkyl; R3-5 and R9 are independently selected from H and methyl; and R8 and R10 are H; (c) when p+q+r=2, R1 and R2 are selected from H and C1-C4 alkyl, R3 and R9-12 are independently selected from H and methyl: R4-5 are H, or R4 and R5 together form a methylene group; and R6-7 are H; (d) when p+q+r=3, R1, R2 and R12 are Me; and R3-11 are H.

Abstract: A method of making a 3-alkylcycloalkanol of formula 2: where R1 represents a methyl or ethyl group, R2 represents hydrogen, R3 represents an ethyl, propyl, butyl, isobutyl or isoamyl group, R4 represents hydrogen and R5 represents hydrogen, or a methyl, ethyl, propyl, isobutyl or isoamyl group comprises the following steps: (1) carrying out an electrophilic substitution reaction of an alkyl group or precursor thereof, on an ortho-substituted alkylbenzene compound of formula 3: where R6 represents hydrogen, or a methyl or ethyl group; (2) hydrogenating the reaction product of step (1); (3) performing an elimination reaction on one or more reaction products of step (2) to produce one or more alkene products; and (4) hydrating the one or more alkene products of step (3) to provide a 3-alkylcycloalkanol of formula 2. The electrophilic substitution reaction of step (1) may be a Friedel-Crafts acylation, e.g. using an isopropyl ketone precursor, or a Friedel-Crafts alkylation, e.g. using an isobutyl group.

Abstract: A clip comprising first, second and third clamping elements which are connected together by a common biasing element. The biasing element comprises a flat plate of stainless steel which is folded to form a spring which biases a part of the first element and a part of the second element together to form a primary clamp. The biasing element also biases a part of the second element and a part of the third element together to form a secondary clamp.

Abstract: Disclosed are isolated nucleic acids consisting essentially of RPW nucleotide sequences (especially RPW8 from Arabidopsis thaliana, and related homologues and other sequences e.g. from Brassica napus; B. oleracea). These encode a novel class of resistance polypeptides having an N-terminal transmembrane domain and a coiled coil domain and which is capable of recognising and activating in a plant into which said nucleic acid is introduced a specific defense response to challenge with a powdery mildew pathogen e.g. E. cichoracearum. Also provided are related products e.g. primers, polypeptides, transgenic plants having enhanced resistance, plus also processes for producing these, and methods of use.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a process for preventing and/or counteracting smoke malodours on a surface, by applying to the surface, a composition comprising one or more macrocyclic musks selected from cyclohexadecanolide, cyclopentadecanone or cyclopentadecanolide. The invention also covers perfumes, and products comprising said perfumes, which incorporate the one or more macrocyclic musks.

Abstract: A method of making a 3-alkylcycloalkanol of formula 2: where R1 represents a methyl or ethyl group, R2 represents hydrogen, R3 represents an ethyl, propyl, butyl, isobutyl or isoamyl group, R4 represents hydrogen and R5 represents hydrogen, or a methyl, ethyl, propyl, isobutyl or isoamyl group comprises the following steps: (1) carrying out an electrophilic substitution reaction of an alkyl group or precursor thereof, on an ortho-substituted alkylbenzene compound of formula 3: where R6 represents hydrogen, or a methyl or ethyl group; (2) hydrogenating the reaction product of step (1); (3) performing an elimination reaction on one or more reaction products of step (2) to produce one or more alkene products; and (4) hydrating the one or more alkene products of step (3) to provide a 3-alkylcycloalkanol of formula 2. The electrophilic substitution reaction of step (1) may be a Friedel-Crafts acylation, e.g. using an isopropyl ketone precursor, or a Friedel-Crafts alkylation, e.g. using an isobutyl group.

Abstract: A clip comprising first, second and third clamping elements which are connected together by a common biasing element. The biasing element comprises a flat plate of stainless steel which is folded to form a spring which biases a part of the first element and a part of the second element together to form a primary clamp. The biasing element also biases a part of the second element and a part of the third element together to form a secondary clamp.

Abstract: The novel isomeric alkenes having structure (I) or (II) or (III) exhibit interesting odour characteristics, generally floral in nature, and so find use in perfumes and in perfumed products. The alkenes are also useful as intermediates in the preparation of other compounds, particularly other fragrance compounds, such as 3-(2-methylpropyl)-1-methylcyclohexanol.