Oxidation of Prenyl Derivatives by Selenium Dioxide

Abstract

The oxidation of prenyl chloride [1], prenyl acetate [2] and prenyl methyl ether [3] by selenium dioxide in acetic acid, dioxane and/or ethanol was investigated. [1] was oxidized in dioxane to give 4-chloro-2-methyl-2-butenal [4] selectively. From [2] and [3], 4-acetoxy-2- methyl-2-butenal [6] and 4-methoxy-2-methyl-2-butenal [10] were obtained respectively.