Process for preparing amitinol

Zur Herstellung des Pheromons Amitinol (E-2-Methyl-6-methylen-3,7-octadien-2-ol) wird aus der entsprechenden Verbindung mit geschützter OH-Gruppe die Schutzgruppe abgespalten. 1. Process for the preparation of E-2-methyl-6-methylene-3,7-octadien-2-ol, characterised in that a sulphenyl chloride R1 SCl wherein R1 represents an optionally substituted alkyl or phenyl group is added to myrcene, and then in the resulting compound of formula see diagramm : EP0039889,P5,F3 the chlorine is replaced in the usual way by the group OR2 wherein R2 represents an acyl group, a sulphonic acid group, a tetrahydropyranyl or methoxy-tetrahydropyranyl group, a triarylmethyl or a silyl group, then the sulphur is oxidised with conventional oxidising agents so as to produce a compound of general formula see diagramm : EP0039889,P5,F4 (wherein n=1 or 2), from which R1 SOn H is eliminated by conventional methods and the group R2 is split off from the resulting compound of formula see diagramm : EP0039889,P5,F5 in exchange for hydrogen, using acidic, basis or neutral agents.