Abstract:
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of β-ionones and/or α-ionones of the formulae (II) and (III) by acid catalyzed ring-closing of ψ-ionones of the formula (I) wherein R 1 to R 7 are independently selected from hydrogen and C 1 -C 4 -alkyl, R 8 is selected from hydrogen and C 1 -C 4 -alkyl and the hydroxyl group, R 9 and R 10 are independently selected from hydrogen and C 1 -C 4 -alkyl or R 9 and R 10 form together the oxygen of a carbonyl group, whereby if R 9 and R 10 form together the oxygen of a carbonyl group no α-isomer is formed comprising: a) reacting a ψ-ionone according to formula (I) in presence of a concentrated Brønsted-acid having a pKs