Synthesis of 4-Isobutylbenzaldehyde an Important Intermediate for the Fragrance (+)- and (-)-Silvial®

The synthesis of 4-isobutylbenzaldehyde, a valuable precursor for the fragrance Silvial® (3-(4-isobutylphenyl)-2-methylpropanal), is reported. Three different synthetic approaches are reported starting either from 4-isobutylbenzoic acid (via benzyl alcohol, or via acyl chloride), or by Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction between 4-bromobenzaldehyde and 2-methylpropylboronic acid