RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the U.S. National Phase under 35 U.S.C. Â§ 371 of International Application No. PCT/JP2004/016767, filed on Nov. 11, 2004, the disclosure of which Application is incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method of producing a macrocyclic ketone muscone, in particular a method of producing muscone by 1,4-conjugation methyl-addition reaction of 2-cyclopentadecenone, and a new intermediate compound used in production thereof.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently the trend toward natural products of people has been rising, and in the field of the fragrance, there also arouses an interest for a musk-feeling fragrance having a higher aroma property and characteristically reminding of natural environment. Further, there is also a need for development of a new fragrance material derived from a natural compound or the same as or similar to a natural compound, from the point of safety for human beings and the environment.

Muscone is the principal fragrance component in natural musk and contained in the amount of 0.5 to 2.0% therein. Muscone was found out by Walbaum in 1906, and its chemical structure was determined by Ruzicka in 1926. Natural muscone is (âˆ’)-(R)-3-methylcyclopentadecanone, but its commercial product is a synthetic dl-isomer. When the fragrance of (âˆ’)-(R)-isomer and (+)-(S)-isomer is compared, the (R)-isomer has a diffusive stronger musk-feeling fragrance (threshold value: 3 ppm), while the (S)-isomer has a chemical, less-diffusive, poor and weak musk-feeling fragrance (threshold value: 10 ppm), and thus, the intensity of the fragrance of the (R)-isomer is known to be thrice greater than that of the (S)-isomer (see, for example, Non-patent Document 1 and Non-patent Document 2 below).

Non-patent Document 1: Indo Motoichi, â€œSynthetic Aromachemicalâ€”Chemistry and Commodity knowledgeâ€ , The Chemical Daily, Mar. 6, 1996, pp. 492 to 497.

Non-patent Document 2: â€œRecently technology on Synthetic Aromachemicalâ€ , CMC Publishing, 1982, pp. 72 to 90.

For the reasons above, there have been many reports of the studies on the method of preparing muscone, in particular, (âˆ’)-(R)-muscone. Among them, a method of producing an optically active muscone by 1,4-conjugation methyl-addition reaction of 2-cyclopentadecenone is considered to be promising, and there are recently some reports on the methods of preparing (âˆ’)-(R)-muscone in asymmetric methylation reaction using an optically active ligand. For example, it has been reported that it is possible to obtain favorable results by using a compound having an amino alcohol chiral auxiliary group containing a bornane skeleton in preparation (see Non-patent Document 3 below). However, the reported method of producing the (âˆ’)-(R)-muscone by using a chiral auxiliary group is yet to be commercialized, because it has disadvantages of demanding an extremely low reaction temperature of âˆ’78Â° C., an extended reaction time, and use of a chiral auxiliary group in an excessive amount of one equivalence or more. In another example, there is a report that a particular chiral phosphite compound gave a favorable result when various chiral phosphite ligands were examined in a catalytic amount (see Non-patent Document 4 below). However, the reported method shows a yield of 53% even at an inefficiently low concentration at a solvent/substrate rate of approximately 50 and thus, is not desirable. In yet another example, described is high-yield production of muscone by using a copper complex of 4-(cis-2,6-dimethylpiperidine) -(R)-dinaphthodioxaphosphepin or 4-(R,R-2,5-diphenyl-pyrrolidine) -(R)-dinaphthodioxaphosphepin as a chiral ligand (see Patent Document 1 below), but the literature does not disclose the reaction at higher concentration. When the reaction is carried out at higher concentration, conventional methods cause a problem of poor yield of the objective product by generation of high-molecular weight by-products. Further, the employment of an extreme reaction condition such as an extremely low temperature, a low concentration or an extended reaction period results in increase of a production cost. Low reaction yield also leads to increase of a production cost. Therefore, there exists an urgent need for a method of producing muscone economically at high yield without employing a reaction condition such as an extremely low temperature, a low concentration, or an extended reaction period.

Non-patent Document 3: J. Chem. Soc. Perkin Trans. I, 1193 (1992)

Non-patent Document 4: Synlett 1999, No. 11, pp. 1181-1183

Patent Document 1: Korean Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-49811

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

An object of the present invention, which has been made under the circumstances above, is to provide a method of producing muscone at high yield by 1,4-conjugation methyl-addition reaction of 2-cyclopentadecenone under a practical condition without employing an reaction condition such as extremely low temperature or low concentration.

Means for Solving the Problems

After intensive studies to solve the problems above, the inventors have found that it is possible to obtain the objective muscone in high yield under higher concentration by steps of forming a new enol derivative by trapping an enol anion generated by 1,4-conjugation methyl-addition reaction of 2-cyclopenta-decenone with a suitable scavenger while restraining the generation of by-products and then decomposing the enol derivative by a common method and after further studies, completed the present invention.

The present invention has the following aspects 1 to 13.

1. A method of producing muscone represented by the following Formula (I):

[Image Omitted]
which comprises:

reacting 2-cyclopentadecenone represented by General Formula (III):

[Image Omitted]
(wherein the wavy line represents a cis isomer and/or a trans isomer of double bond) with an organic metal methylation reagent via 1,4-conjugation addition reaction in the presence of a copper or nickel catalyst and an enol anion scavenger to give a 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecene derivative represented by General Formula (II):

[Image Omitted]
(wherein R represents a straight- or branched-chain acyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, an alkyloxycarbonyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, a straight- or branched-chain alkyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, or a straight- or branched-chain silyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring; and the wavy line is the same as that above); and

solvolyzing the enol moiety of the 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecene derivative.

2. A method of producing an optically active muscone represented by Formula (I-a):

[Image Omitted]
which comprises:

reacting 2-cyclopentadecenone represented by General Formula (III):

[Image Omitted]
(wherein the wavy line represents a cis isomer and/or a trans isomer of double bond) with an organic metal methylation reagent via 1,4-conjugation addition reaction in the presence of a copper or nickel catalyst, an enol anion scavenger, and an optically active ligand to give an optically active 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecene derivative represented by General Formula (II-a):

[Image Omitted]
(wherein R represents a straight- or branched-chain acyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, a straight- or branched-chain alkyloxycarbonyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, a straight- or branched-chain alkyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, or a straight- or branched-chain silyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring; * represents an asymmetric carbon atom; and the wavy line is the same as that above); and

solvolyzing the enol moiety of the optically active 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecene derivative.

3. A method of producing a 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecene derivative represented by General Formula (II):

[Image Omitted]
(wherein R represents a straight- or branched-chain acyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, a straight- or branched-chain alkyloxycarbonyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, a straight- or branched-chain alkyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, or a straight- or branched-chain silyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring; and the wavy line is the same as that above), which comprises reacting 2-cyclopentadecenone represented by General Formula (III):

4. A method of producing an optically active 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecene derivative represented by General Formula (II-a):

[Image Omitted]
(wherein the wavy line represents a cis isomer and/or a trans isomer of double bond) with an organic metal methylation reagent via 1,4-conjugation addition reaction in the presence of a copper or nickel catalyst, an enol anion scavenger and an optically active ligand.

5. A method of producing muscone represented by Formula (I):

[Image Omitted]
which comprises solvolyzing an enol moiety of a 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecene derivative represented by General Formula (II):

[Image Omitted]
(wherein R represents a straight- or branched-chain acyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, a straight- or branched-chain alkyloxycarbonyl which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, a straight- or branched-chain alkyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, or a straight- or branched-chain silyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring; and the wavy line represents a cis isomer and/or a trans isomer of double bond).

6. A method of producing an optically active muscone represented by Formula (I-a):

[Image Omitted]
which comprises solvolyzing an enol moiety of an optically active 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecene derivatives represented by General Formula (II-a):

7. The production method according to the item 2 or 4 above, wherein the optically active ligand is an optically active ligand represented by General Formula (IV):

[Image Omitted]
(wherein C_nrepresents a substituted or unsubstituted group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, which forms a ring together with two oxygen atoms and a phosphorus atom; and R¹and R²each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a chain or cyclic alkyl, aryl, alkanoyl or aralkyl group that may be substituted with a substituent or R¹and R²represent groups that can form a heterocyclic ring together with an nitrogen atom connected thereto).

8. The production method according to the item 2 or 4 above, wherein the optically active ligand is an optically active ligand represented by General Formula (V):

9. The production method according to the item 2 or 4 above, wherein the optically active ligand is 4-(cis-2,6-dimethyl-piperidine) -(R)-ditetrahydronaphthodioxaphosphepin, 4-(cis-2,6-dimethylpiperidine)-(R)-dinaphthodioxaphosphepin, 4-((R,R)-2,5-diphenylpyrrolidine)-(R)-dinaphthodioxa-phosphepin, or 4-((R,R)-2,5-diphenylpyrrolidine)-(R) -ditetrahydronaphthodioxaphosphepin.

10. The production method according to the item 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 or 8 above, wherein the enol anion scavenger is an enol anion scavenger represented by the following General Formula (VI):
R⁴â€”Xâ€ƒâ€ƒ(VI)
(wherein R⁴represents a straight- or branched-chain acyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, a straight- or branched-chain alkyloxycarbonyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, a straight- or branched-chain alkyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, or a straight- or branched-chain silyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring; and X represents a halogen atom, an alkylsulfonyloxy group, an arylsulfonyloxy group, or ORâ€² (wherein Râ€² represents a straight- or branched-chain acyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, or a straight- or branched-chain alkyloxycarbonyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring).

11. The production method according to the item 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 or 8 above, wherein the enol anion scavenger is an enol anion scavenger represented by the following General Formula (VII):
R⁵â€”Xâ€ƒâ€ƒ(VII)
(wherein R⁵represents a straight- or branched-chain acyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, or a straight- or branched-chain alkyloxycarbonyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring; and X represents a halogen atom, an alkylsulfonyloxy group, an arylsulfonyloxy group, or ORâ€² (wherein Râ€² represents a straight- or branched-chain acyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, or a straight- or branched-chain alkyloxycarbonyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring).

12. A 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecene derivative, represented by General Formula (II):

[Image Omitted]
(wherein R represents a straight- or branched-chain acyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, a straight- or branched-chain alkyloxycarbonyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, a straight- or branched-chain alkyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, or a straight- or branched-chain silyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring; and the wavy line represents a cis isomer and/or a trans isomer of double bond).

13. An optically active 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecene derivative, represented by General Formula (II-a):

[Image Omitted]
wherein R represents a straight- or branched-chain acyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, a straight- or branched-chain alkyloxycarbonyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, a straight- or branched-chain alkyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, or a straight- or branched-chain silyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring; * represents an asymmetric carbon atom; and the wavy line represents a cis isomer and/or a trans isomer of double bond.

Advantageous Effects of the Invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to produce an objective muscone at high concentration and in high yield by trapping the enol anion generated by 1,4-conjugation methyl-addition reaction of 2-cyclopentadecenone to prepare a new enol derivative and then solvolyzing the enol moiety.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter the present invention will be described in detail.

In the present invention, as described above, 2-cyclopentadecenone represented by General Formula (III):

[Image Omitted]
(wherein the wavy line represents a cis isomer and/or a trans isomer of double bond) is subjected to 1,4-conjugation addition reaction with an organic metal methylation reagent in the presence of a copper or nickel catalyst and an enol anion scavenger to give a 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecene derivative represented by General Formula (II):

As an example of the 2-cyclopentadecenone represented by General Formula (III), which is used in this reaction, there is illustrated (E)-2-cyclopentadecenone, but the 2-cyclopentadecenone used in this reaction is not limited thereto. For example, (Z)-2-cyclopentadecenone or a mixture of its geometrical isomers may be also used. (E)-2-cyclopentadecenone can be prepared by a known method (see, for example, the following Patent Documents 2 and 3 and Non-patent Document 5) and a method similar to that. In the invention, any one of the compounds prepared by a known method or a method similar to that or commercially available may be used as the 2-cyclopentadecenone.

Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 1-321556

Patent Document 3: JP-A No. 2001-369422

Non-patent Document 5: J. Korean Chem. Soc., 40, 243 (1996)

As the copper catalyst for use in the reaction, there can be used any one of copper catalysts traditionally used in the 1,4-conjugation methyl-addition reaction. Examples of the copper catalysts include copper (II) triflate (Cu (OTf)₂), copper (I) triflate (CuOTf), copper (II) acetylacetonate (Cu(acac)₂), copper (II) trifluoroacetate (Cu(OCOCF₃)₂), copper acetate (II) (Cu (OAc)₂), copper sulfate (II) (CuSO₄), cuprous chloride (CuCl), cupric chloride (CuCl₂), cuprous bromide (CuBr), cupric bromide (CuBr₂), cuprous iodide (CuI), cupric chloride (CuI₂), cuprous cyamide (CuCN), cuprous perchlorate (CuClO₄), cupric naphthenate (Cu(OCOC₁₀H₉)₂), copper (II) tetrafluoroborate (Cu (BF₄)₂), and tetrachlorocopper (II) dilithium (Li₂CuCl₄); and preferable are copper (II) triflate (Cu(OTf)₂), copper (I) triflate (CuOTf), and the like.

As the nickel catalyst for use in the reaction, there can be used any one of nickel catalysts traditionally used in the 1,4-conjugation methyl-addition reaction. Examples of the nickel catalysts include nickel acetylacetonate (Ni(acac)₂), nickel chloride (NiCl₂), nickel bromide (NiBr₂), nickel iodide (NiI₂), and nickel acetate Ni (OCOCH₃)₂; and preferable are nickel acetylacetonate (Ni(acac)₂), nickel chloride (NiCl₂), and the like.

Examples of the enol anion scavenger for use in the reaction include an enol anion scavenger represented by the following General Formula (VI):
R⁴â€”Xâ€ƒâ€ƒ(VI)
(wherein R⁴represents a straight- or branched-chain acyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, a straight- or branched-chain alkyloxycarbonyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, a straight- or branched-chain alkyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, or a straight- or branched-chain silyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring; and X represents a halogen atom, an alkylsulfonyloxy group, an arylsulfonyloxy group, or ORâ€² (wherein Râ€² represents a straight- or branched-chain acyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, or a straight- or branched-chain alkyloxycarbonyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring)).

In General Formula (VI), examples of a straight- or branched-chain acyl group in the R⁴, which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, include acyl groups having one to three hydrogen atoms thereof that may be substituted with a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms (such as a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, a n-butyl group, an isobutyl group, a sec-butyl group, and a tert-butyl group), a lower alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms (such as a methoxy group, an ethoxy group, a propoxy group, an isopropoxy group, a n-butoxy group, an isobutoxy group, a sec-butoxy group, and a tert-butoxy group), a halogen atom (such as a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, or an iodine atom), a nitro group, and the like, such as a formyl group, an acetyl group, a chloroacetyl group, a dichloroacetyl group, a trichloroacetyl group, a trifluoroacetyl group, a propionyl group, a butyryl group, an isobutyryl group, a pivaloyl group, a valeryl group, an isovaleryl group, a hexanoyl group, an octanoyl group, a decanoyl group, a dodecanoyl group, a benzoyl group, a 4-trioil group, a 4-tert-butylbenzoyl group, a 4-anisoyl group, a 4-chlorobenzoyl group, and a 4-nitrobenzoyl group.

Examples of a straight- or branched-chain alkyloxycarbonyl group in the R⁴, which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, include alkyloxycarbonyl groups having one to three hydrogen atoms thereof that may be substituted with a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms (such as a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, a n-butyl group, an isobutyl group, a sec-butyl group, and a tert-butyl group), a lower alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms (such as a methoxy group, an ethoxy group, a propoxy group, an isopropoxy group, a n-butoxy group, an isobutoxy group, a sec-butoxy group, and a tert-butoxy group), a halogen atom (such as fluorine atom, chlorine atom, bromine atom, and iodine atom), a nitro group, and the like, such as a methoxycarbonyl group, an ethoxycarbonyl group, a propoxycarbonyl group, a butoxycarbonyl group, a tert-butoxycarbonyl group, an allyloxycarbonyl group, a benzyloxycarbonyl group, a p-chlorobenzyloxycarbonyl group, a p-bromobenzyloxycarbonyl group, a p-methoxybenzyloxycarbonyl group, and a p-nitro benzyloxycarbonyl group.

Examples of a straight- or branched-chain alkyl group in the R⁴, which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, include alkyl groups having 1 to 8 carbon atoms such as a methyl group, an ethyl group, a n-propyl group, an isopropyl group, a n-butyl group, an isobutyl group, a sec-butyl group, a tert-butyl group, a pentyl group, a hexyl group, a heptyl group, and an octyl group.

The alkyl group may have a substituent not participant in the reaction, and typical examples of the substituents include lower alkyl groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms (such as a methyl group, an ethyl group, a n-propyl group, an isopropyl group, a n-butyl group, an isobutyl group, and a tert-butyl group), lower alkoxy groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms (such as a methoxy group, an ethoxy group, a propoxy group, an isopropoxy group, a n-butoxy group, an isobutoxy group, a sec-butoxy group, and a tert-butoxy group), halogen atoms (such as a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, and an iodine atom), and a nitro group.

Examples of a straight- or branched-chain silyl group in the R⁴, which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, include tri-C_1-6alkylsilyl groups such as a trimethylsilyl group, a triethylsilyl group, a triisopropylsilyl group, a dimethylisopropylsilyl group, a diethylisopropylsilyl group, a dimethyl(2,3-dimethyl-2-butyl)silyl group, a tert-butyldimethylsilyl group, and a dimethylhexylsilyl group), di-C_1-5alkyl-C_6-18arylsilyl groups (such as dimethylcumylsilyl group), di-C_6-18aryl-C_1-6alkylsilyl groups (such as tert-butyldiphenylsilyl group and diphenylmethylsilyl group), tri-C_6-18arylsilyl groups (such as a triphenylsilyl group), and trisubstituted silyl groups including tri-C_7-19aralkylsilyl groups (such as a tribenzylsilyl group and a tri-p-xylylsilyl group).

In the invention, among groups in the R⁴: a straight- or branched-chain acyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, a straight- or branched-chain alkyloxycarbonyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, a straight- or branched-chain alkyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, and a straight- or branched-chain silyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, the straight- or branched-chain acyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring and the straight- or branched-chain alkyloxycarbonyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring are preferable.

Preferable examples of the enol anion scavenger used in the present invention include acid anhydrides such as acetic anhydride, propionic anhydride, butanoic anhydride, pentanoic anhydride and benzoic anhydride; acid halides such as acetyl chloride, acetyl bromide, propionyl chloride, propionyl bromide, butyryl chloride, butyryl bromide, pentanoyl chloride, pentanoyl bromide, and benzoyl chloride; dicarbonates such as dimethyl dicarbonate, diethyl dicarbonate, dipropyl dicarbonate, and dibenzyl dicarbonate; trimethylsilyl chloride; and trimethylsilyl triflate. Particularly preferable among these are acid anhydrides such as acetic anhydride, propionic anhydride, butanoic anhydride, pentanoic anhydride, and benzoic anhydride; dicarbonates such as dimethyl dicarbonate, diethyl dicarbonate, dipropyl dicarbonate, and dibenzyl dicarbonate; and the like.

Examples of the organic metal methylation reagent used in the reaction include dimethylzinc (ZnMe₂), methylmagnesium chloride, methylmagnesium bromide, methylmagnesium iodide, methyllithium, and trimethylaluminum, and preferable are dimethylzinc (ZnMe₂) and the like.

As a solvent used in the reaction, any inert solvent being not participant in the reaction can be used. Preferable examples thereof are organic solvents including hydrocarbon solvents such as pentane, hexane, and heptane; aromatic solvents such as benzene, toluene, xylene, and mesitylene; ether solvents such as diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, methyl-tert-butyl ether, dibutyl ether, cyclopentylmethyl ether, 1,2-dimethoxy-ethane, tetrahydrofuran, 1,4-dioxane, and 1,3-dioxolane; ester solvents such as methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, and butyl acetate; halogenated solvents such as methylene chloride, dichloroethane, and chlorobenzene: and mixed solvents comprising two or more thereof. Preferable among these are hydrocarbon solvents such as pentane, hexane, and heptane; aromatic solvents such as benzene, toluene, xylene, and mesitylene; and ether solvents such as diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, methyl-tert-butyl ether, dibutyl ether, cyclopentylmethyl ether, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, tetrahydrofuran, 1,4-dioxane, and 1,3-dioxolane. The amount of the solvent used is normally one to 200-times by volume, preferably 5 to 100-times by volume, particularly preferably 10 to 50-times by volume, with respect to 1 part by weight of the 2-cyclopentadecenone represented by General Formula (III).

The copper catalyst and the nickel catalyst are used in the reaction in an amount of normally approximately 0.1 to 20 mol %, preferably approximately 1.0 to 10 mol %, with respect to 1 mole of the 2-cyclopentadecenone (III). The enol anion scavenger is used in an amount of normally approximately 1.0 to 5.0 moles, preferably approximately 1.2 to 3.0 moles, with respect to 1 mole of the 2-cyclopentadecenone (III). The organic metal methylation reagent is used in an amount of normally 1.0 to 5.0 moles, preferably 1.2 to 3.0 moles, with respect to 1 mole of the 2-cyclopentadecenone (III).

The reaction is carried out normally under an inert gas atmosphere such as nitrogen gas or argon gas. The reaction is carried out normally at a temperature of approximately âˆ’80Â° C. to 50Â° C., preferably at a temperature of approximately âˆ’30Â° C. to 30Â° C., normally approximately for 10 minutes to 20 hours, preferably approximately for 30 minutes to 10 hours. However these conditions may be altered as needed according to the reactive materials used and the amounts of the copper compound and others.

When racemic 3-methyl-cyclopentadecene derivatives are prepared in the reaction, a phosphorus-based ligand such as triphenylphosphine, tributylphosphine, tri-tert-butyl phosphine, triphenyl phosphite, or triethyl phosphite may be added as needed for smoother progress of the reaction. The ligand is used in an amount of normally approximately 1 to 10 mole equivalences, preferably approximately 1.5 to 5 mole equivalences, with respect to 1 mole of the copper or nickel catalyst.

An objective product can be isolated after the reaction by common post-treatment and as needed by a purification method such as distillation, recrystallization or column chromatography.

In the present invention, when a 3-methyl-1-cyclopenta-decene derivative represented by General Formula (II) is produced from the 2-cyclopentadecenone represented by the above General Formula (III), by carrying out the reaction in the presence of an optically active ligand, it is possible to prepare an optically active 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecene derivative represented by General Formula (II-a):

The optically active ligand is not particularly limited, if it gives an optically active 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecene (II) which is an objective compound. Examples of the optically active ligands used in the present invention include an optically active ligand represented by General Formula (IV):

[Image Omitted]
(wherein C_nrepresents a substituted or unsubstituted group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms which can form a ring together with two oxygen atoms and one phosphorus atom; R¹and R²each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a chain or cyclic alkyl, aryl, alkanoyl or aralkyl group that may be substituted with a substituent, or groups that can form a heterocyclic ring together with the nitrogen atom to which R¹and R²are bound), and
an optically active ligand represented by General Formula (V)

[Image Omitted]
(wherein, C_nis the same as that above; R³represents a hydrogen atom or a chain or cyclic alkyl, aryl, alkanoyl or aralkyl group that may be substituted with a substituent).

In the optically active ligands represented by General Formulae (IV) and (V), C_nand/or R¹and/or R²and/or R³are optically active groups or part of an optically active component. C_nrepresents a C₄chain (chain of four carbon atoms that may be substituted optionally) chirally substituted predominantly in a configuration, that has an enantiomer excess of preferably more than 95%, more preferably more than 99%, particularly preferably more than 99.5%. Preferably, C_nforms a 7-membered ring having four carbon atoms together with two O atoms and one P atom, and the two pairs of carbons in the four carbon atoms form respectively part of an aryl group or a naphthyl group. Examples of the optically active ligand represented by General Formula (IV) favorably used in the present invention include the followings. However, the optically active ligand represented by General Formula (IV) is not limited to these typical examples. The optically active ligand represented by General Formula (IV) includes the constitutions of the enantiomers of the compounds represented as examples, and a desired constitution of the enantiomers is selected according to the optically activity of the objective product.

[Image Omitted]

As specific examples of compounds represented by General Formula (V), which is the optically active ligand favorably used in the present invention, there are illustrated above exemplified ligand compounds represented by General Formula (IV) wherein the NR¹R²moiety therein is substituted with an OR³moiety. Examples of the optically active ligand represented by General Formula (V) include the followings. However, the optically active ligand represented by General Formula (V) is not particularly limited to these typical examples. The examples also include the constitutions of the enantiomers thereof and a desirable constitution of the enantiomers is selected according to the optically activity of the objective product.

[Image Omitted]

The optically active ligands represented by General Formulae (IV) and (V) are prepared easily by a known production method (see, for example, the following Non-patent Document 6).

Non-patent Document 6: Houben-Weyl Methoden der Organischen Chemie Band XII/2. Organische phosphorverbindungen. G. Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart, 1964, Part 2 (4th Ed.), pp. 99-105.

In the first preferable production method described in Non-patent Document 6, a compound HOâ€”C_nâ€”OH is allowed to react with P(NMe₂)₃or P(NEt₂)₃(Me: methyl, and Et: ethyl), and then, with R¹R²NH or R³OH preferably in a solvent having a boiling point of 80Â° C. or higher, such as toluene. Examples of the catalyst favorable for the latter reaction include ammonium chloride, tetrazole, and benzimidazolium triflate. Examples of the compound HOâ€”C_nâ€”OH include chiral bisnaphthols such as (R)- or (S)-1,1â€²-bi(2-naphthol); chiral bisphenols such as (R)- or (S)-6,6â€²-dimethoxy-2,2â€²-bisphenol; diols such as (R,R)- or (S,S)-2,2â€²-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-4,5-bis-(1,1-diphenyl)-methanol (TADDOL) and (S,R)- or (R,S)-indane-1,2-diol; sugar-based 1,2- or 1,3-diols such as the compounds represented by the following Formula;

[Image Omitted]

Examples of the R¹R²NH include benzylamine, dibenzylamine, diisopropylamine, dicyclohexylamine, 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidine, (R)- or (S)-1-methyl-benzylamine, piperidine, cis-2,6-dimethylpiperidine, (R,R)- or (S,S)-2,5-diphenyl-pyrrolidine, (R,R)- or (S,S)-3,4-diphenylpyrrolidine, morpholine, and (R,R)- or (S,S)-bis-(1-methylbenzyl)amine.

Examples of the R³OH include (1S,2R)- or (1S,2S)- or (1R,2R)- or (1R,2R)-2-phenylcyclohexanol, (1S,2R)- or (1S,2S)- or (1R,2R)- or (1R,2R)-2-(1-naphthyl)cyclohexanol, (1S,2R)- or (1S,2S)- or (1R,2R)- or (1R,2R)-2-(2-naphthyl)cyclohexanol, 1- or d-menthol, 1- or d-isopulegol, (R)- or (S)-1-phenylethanol, tert-butanol, fenchol, borneol, (S)- or (R)-2-hydroxydimethyl-4-tert-butyl-1,3-oxazoline, and (S)- or (R)-2-hydroxydimethyl-4-isopropyl-1,3-oxazoline.

The optically active ligand can also be prepared easily by another known production method (see, for example, Non-patent Documents 7 and 8 below) In this second favorable production method, a compound HOâ€”C_nâ€”OH is allowed to react with PCl₃in the presence of a base such as Et₃N, and then, with R¹R²NLi in the presence of a solvent such as toluene or with R¹R²NH or R³OH in the presence of a base such as Et₃N. Examples of the HOâ€”C_nâ€”OH, R¹R²NH and R³OH are basically the same as those described in the first favorable production method.

Non-patent Document 7: Tetrahedron, 56, 2865 (2000)

Non-patent Document 8: Tetrahedron Asymmetry, 9, 1179 (1998)

The optically active ligand can be prepared easily by yet another known production method (see, for example, Non-patent Documents 9 and 10 below). In this third preferable production method, R¹R²NLi, R¹R²NH or R³OH is allowed to react with PCl₃, and then, with a compound HOâ€”C_nâ€”OH preferably in the presence of a base such as Et₃N and also in the presence of a solvent such as toluene. Examples of the HOâ€”C_nâ€”OH, R¹R²NH and R³OH are basically the same as those described above in the first preferable production method.

Non-patent Document 9: J. Org. Chem., 58, 7313 (1993)

Non-patent Document 10: Tetrahedron Asymmetry, 13, 801 (2002)

In the reactions described above, the optically active ligand represented by General Formula (IV) or (V) is used in an amount of normally approximately 0.1 to 20 mol %, preferably approximately 1.0 to 10 mol %, with respect to 1 mole of the 2-cyclopentadecenone (III).

The 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecene derivative (II) obtained in the enol anion-trapping reaction described above is a new compound unknown in the art, and is a compound which is stable, normally oily or powdery, and storable. Thus, the 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecene derivative (II) obtained in the enol anion-trapping reaction may be purified, for example, by distillation, recrystallization, or column chromatography, or may be stored without purification and used as it is withdrawn from the storage container when the following production process is conducted.

Specific examples of the compound represented by General Formula (II) include the following compounds. However, these compounds are illustrated only as examples, and the compounds represented by General Formula (II) are not limited to the following compounds.

(Enol Esters)

3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecenyl formate, 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecenyl acetate, 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecenyl propionate, 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecenyl butyrate, 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecenyl isobutyrate, 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecenyl sec-butyrate, 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecenyl tert-butyrate, 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecenyl valerate, 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecenyl isovalerate, 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecenyl hexanoate, 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecenyl heptanoate, 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecenyl octanoate, 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecenyl nonanate, 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecenyl decanoate, 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecenyl undecanoate, 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecenyl dodecanoate, 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecenyl benzoate, 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecenyl chloroacetate, and 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecenyl phenoxyacetate.

(Enol Carbonates)

3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecenyl methyl carbonate, 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecenyl ethyl carbonate, 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecenyl tert-butyl carbonate, and 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecenyl benzyl carbonate.

(Enol Ethers) 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecenyl methyl ether, 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecenyl ethyl ether, 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecenyl propyl ether, 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecenyl isopropyl ether, 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecenyl butyl ether, 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecenyl isobutyl ether, and 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecenyl benzyl ether.
(Silyl Enol Ethers) 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecenyl trimethylsilyl ether, 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecenyl triethylsilyl ether, and 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecenyl tert-butyldiethylsilyl ether.

In the examples of the compounds, geometrical and optical isomers are not mentioned, but as the (E)-isomer, (Z)-isomer and a mixture of (E)- and (Z)-isomers thereof, as well as the (R)-isomer, (S)-isomer, and a mixture of (R)- and (S)-isomers thereof, there can be exemplified the above compounds similarly.

In the reaction, the configuration in geometrical isomerism of the 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecene derivative represented by General Formula (II) is governed by that of the 2-cyclopentadecene represented by General Formula (III). For example, when the (E)-isomer of 2-cyclopentadecene represented by General Formula (III) is used, a (Z)-3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecene derivative is obtained mainly as the 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecene derivative represented by General Formula (II).

In the reaction, the configuration on the 3-asymmetric carbon atom in the optically active 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecene derivative represented by General Formula (II-a) obtained in the presence of an optically active ligand is controlled by that of the optically active ligand used in the reaction.

As a favorable example of the optically active ligand, there is illustrated 4-(cis-2,6-dimethylpiperidine)-(R)-ditetrahydronaphthodioxaphosphepin represented by the following Formula:

[Image Omitted]
When it is used, a (R)-3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecene derivative is obtained as the optically active 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecene derivative represented by General Formula (II-a). Other favorable examples of the optically active ligand include 4-(cis-2,6-dimethylpiperidine)-(R)-dinaphthodioxaphosphepin, 4-((R,R)-2,5-diphenylpyrrolidine)-(R)-dinaphthodioxa-phosphepin, and 4-((R,R)-2,5-diphenylpyrrolidine)-(R)-ditetrahydronaphthodioxaphosphepin, and similar results are obtained when these compounds are used.

In the present invention, subsequent solvolysis of the enol moiety of the 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecene derivative represented by General Formula (II):

[Image Omitted]
(wherein R represents a straight- or branched-chain acyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, a straight- or branched-chain alkyloxycarbonyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, a straight- or branched-chain alkyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring, or a straight- or branched-chain silyl group which may have a substituent containing a heteroatom or an aromatic ring; and the wavy line is the same as that above) gives muscone represented by Formula (I):

[Image Omitted]

Any common known solvolytic method for enol compounds may be used as the solvolytic method of the invention. In the case of enol esters and enol carbonates, examples of the methods include a method of carrying out a reaction in a solvent in the presence of a basic catalyst. Examples of the basic catalyst used in this solvolysis include lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, lithium carbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, calcium carbonate, lithium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, lithium alkoxides (such as lithium methoxide, lithium ethoxide, and lithium tert-butoxide), sodium alkoxides (such as sodium methoxide, sodium ethoxide, and sodium tert-butoxide), and potassium alkoxides (such as potassium methoxide, potassium ethoxide, and potassium tert-butoxide). The basic catalysts are preferably sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium methoxide, sodium ethoxide and the like because they are cheaper and have favorable flexibility in use, higher selectivity in reaction, and high yield. These basic catalysts may be used alone or in combination of two or more thereof, but it is preferable to be used alone.

Alternatively in the case of enol ethers, the reaction may be carried out in a solvent in the presence of an acidic catalyst. Examples of the acidic catalyst used in the solvolysis include hydrofluoric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, methanesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, acetic acid, chloroacetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, and acidic ion-exchange resins. Favorable acidic catalysts include hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, and p-toluenesulfonic acid because they are cheaper, having favorable flexibility in use, and show higher reaction selectivity and high yield. These acidic catalysts may be used alone or in combination of two or more thereof, but it is preferable to be used alone.

For example in the case of silyl enol ethers, the reaction may be carried out in a solvent in the presence of the acidic catalyst above, and examples of the acidic catalysts further include fluorine compounds such as boron trifluoride and quaternary ammonium fluoride salts.

The solvent used in solvolysis is not particularly limited if it is a solvent allowing progress of solvolysis, and examples thereof include water, alcohols such as methanol, ethanol and isopropanol, and the mixed solvents thereof. Among the solvents above, methanol and ethanol are favorable because they are cheaper and have favorable flexibility in use, higher reaction selectivity and high yield.

Further, a cosolvent may be added as needed. The cosolvent is not particularly limited if it is inert to the reaction, and examples of such organic solvents include ether solvents such as diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, dimethoxyethane, and dioxane; hydrocarbon solvents such as hexane, heptane and octane; and aromatic solvents such as benzene, toluene, and xylene.

The solvent is used in an amount of normally 0.5 to 100-times by volume, preferably 1 to 30-times by volume, with respect to 1 part by mass of the 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecene derivative (II). The reaction is carried out at normally approximately 0 to 250Â° C., preferably approximately 20 to 100Â° C., normally approximately for 10 minutes to 20 hours, preferably approximately for 30 minutes to 10 hours, but these conditions may be altered properly according to the amount of the solvent and catalyst used.

The objective product may be isolated as needed after reaction by common post-treatment such as distillation or column chromatography. The reaction may be carried out either batchwise or continuously in the invention.

Solvolysis of the enol moiety in the 3-methyl-1-cyclo-pentadecene derivative represented by General Formula (II) has been described above in detail. And the catalyst, solvent, reaction condition and the like in solvolysis of the optically active 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecene derivative represented by General Formula (II-a) are the same as those described above. Thus, it is possible to prepare optically active muscone represented by General Formula (I-a) by solvolysis of the optically active 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecene derivative represented by General Formula (II-a) in a similar manner.

In the reaction, the configuration of the 3-asymmetric carbon atom on the optically active muscone represented by Formula (I-a) retains that of the optically active 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecene derivative represented by General Formula (II-a). Thus, for example, when a (R)-3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecene derivative is used as the optically active 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecene derivative represented by General Formula (II-a), (R)-muscone is obtained as muscone represented by Formula (I-a) in retaining an optical purity. The configuration of the optically active 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecene derivative is controlled by that of the optically active ligand used in the reaction.

EXAMPLE

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Examples and Comparative Examples, but it should be understood that the present invention is not restricted thereby and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention.

In the following description, â€œ%â€ means â€œ% by massâ€ unless specified otherwise.

Analysis in the Examples and Comparative Examples below was conducted by using the following analytical instruments:

Optical Rotatory Power;

Instrument: P-1020 (manufactured by JASCO Corp.)

Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum (¹H-NMR);

Instrument: DRX-500 (manufactured by Bruker Corp.)

Internal standard substance: tetramethylsilane

Infrared absorption spectrum (IR);

Instrument: Nicolet AVATAR 360 FT-IR (manufactured by Nicolet Japan Corporation)

Mass spectrum (MS);

Instrument: GCMS-QP2010 (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation)

Gas Chromatography:

Instrument: GC-14 A (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation)

Column: Rtx-1 (0.25 mmÃ—60 m) (manufactured by RESTEK Corporation)

High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC):

Instrument: Waters 2695 (manufactured by Japan Waters K.K.)

Column: CHIRALPAKâ„¢ AS-H (0.25 cmÏ†Ã—25 cm) (Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.)

Example 1

Synthesis of (R)-3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecenyl propionate

To a 1,000 ml reaction flask 1.32 g (2.9 mmol) of an optically active ligand 4-(cis-2,6-dimethylpiperidine)-(R)-ditetra-hydronaphthodioxaphosphepin, 0.47 g (1.3 mmol) of Cu(OTf)₂, 115 ml (230 mmol) of a dimethylzinc toluene solution (2.0 mol/L), and 524 g of xylene were added and cooled to âˆ’20Â° C. under a nitrogen atmosphere. Then, 20.6 g (158 mmol) of propionic anhydride and 32 g (144 mmol) of (2E)-cyclopentadecenone were added thereto dropwise over 3 hours. After dropwise addition, the mixture was stirred for 4 hours until completion of the reaction was determined by gas chromatographic analysis. The reaction was terminated by addition of an aqueous 5% sulfuric acid solution after completion of the reaction; the reaction solution was phase-separated and washed with water; and then, the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure to give 43.2 g of a crude product. The concentrated solution was distilled (boiling point: 112Â° C./39.9 Pa) to give 39.4 g (134 mmol) of the title compound (yield: 93%). Gas chromatographic analysis gave E/Z =1.0/99.0.

¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃, Î´): 0.90 (3H, d, J=12.5 Hz), 1.07 to 1.15 (2H, m), 1.20 (3H, t, J=7.6 Hz), 1.26 to 1.40 (15H, m), 2.14 to 2.16 (1H, m), 2.30 to 2.39 (2H, m), 2.40 (2H, q, J=7.6 Hz), 4.77 (1H, d, J=9.6 Hz)

MS m/z: 293 (M⁺5), 265 (3), 238 (90), 220 (30), 209 (27), 195 (13), 180 (11), 158 (7), 142 (7), 125 (38), 117 (28), 97 (60), 84 (55), 69 (62), 57 (100), 41 (37)

IR Î½_max(cm^âˆ’1): 2926, 2856, 1152

[Î±]_D: âˆ’79.2Â° (c=1.0 (in CHCl₃))

Example 2

Synthesis of (R)-muscone

To a 200-ml round-bottomed flask 27.3 g (93 mmol) of (R)-3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecenylpropionate obtained in Example 1 and 54.6 g of toluene were added and stirred. 17.9 g (93 mmol) of a methanolic 28% sodium methoxide solut