Process for preparing lactones and the use thereof as odoriferous material

This invention is related to a process for preparing lactones of the Formula (I) wherein the radicals R 1 to R 4 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a C 1-18 alkyl group or a C 2-18 alkenyl group or wherein R 1 and R 2 and/or R 3 and R 4 may combine to each other to form a C 5-12 cycloalkyl group or C 5-12 cycloalkenyl group, wherein these groups may contain C 1-6 alkyl groups or C 2-6 alkenyl groups as substituents, the process comprising reacting an anhydride of the Formula (II) wherein the Radicals R 1 to R 4 have the same meaning as defined above, with a reducing agent in a solvent. This invention is also related to the use of these lactones as odoriferous materials and to fragrance compositions containing these lactones.