A Short Synthesis of (±)‐Muscone

Abstract

Abstract (±)‐Muscone ((±)‐1) has been synthesised in three steps from 2‐(2′‐methylprop‐2′‐enyl)cyclododecan‐1‐one ( 2 ). The synthesis involves two key transformations: a Lewis ‐acid‐mediated intramolecular ene reaction ( 2→3 ) and the β‐cleavage of the bicyclic potassium alkoxide 3a′ to the macrocyclic enone ( Z )‐ 11 .