A process to form a composition comprising an asymmetrical polyene, the asymmetrical polyene comprising an “α,β unsaturated-carbonyl end” and a “C—C double bond end,” the process comprising: reacting an alkene- or polyene-containing alcohol with an alkyl ester of an α,β unsaturated carboxylic acid in the presence of at least the following components A) through C) to form a solution comprising an asymmetrical polyene: A) a lithium salt; B) a component selected from the group consisting of hydroquinone, an alkyl-substituted phenol, a substituted alkyl-substituted phenol, an alkyl-substituted hydroquinone, a substituted alkyl-substituted hydroquinone, and combinations thereof; and C) an N-oxyl-containing compound; wherein the “α,β unsaturated-carbonyl end” of the asymmetrical polyene is selected from the group consisting of structures a) through c), as described herein, and wherein the “C—C double bond end” of the asymmetrical polyene is selected from the group consisting of structures 1) through 17), as described herein.