PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF 2-ISOPENTYL-2-ISOPROPYL-1,3-DIMETHOXYPROPANE

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of 2-isopentyl-2-isopropyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, said process comprising the steps of: i) contacting iso-valderaldehyde with an aqueous solution of a hydroxide base selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), potassium hydroxide (KOH) or a combination thereof, said solution having an amount of said hydroxide base of at least 20% w/v, and (m)ethanol; to form (2Z)-2-isopropyl-5-methyl-2-hexenal; step ii) contacting (2Z)-2-iso-propyl-5-methyl-2-hexenal with a reducing system to form 2-isopropyl-5-methylhexanal; step iii) contacting 2-isopropyl-5-methylhexanal with formaldehyde and an inorganic base to form 2-isopentyl-2-isopropylpropane-1,3-diol; and step iv) contacting 2- isopentyl-2-isopropylpropane-1,3-diol with a methylation agent and a base to form 2-isopentyl-2-isopropyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane.