Terpenoids Part LXXXIV : Synthesis of β-Elemene and Elemol

Department of Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh-160014. Manuscript received 27 August 1974 ; revised 21 November 1974 ; accepted 30 December 1974. A new synthesis of \(\beta\)-Elemene (I) has been accomplished through the application of Wittig reaction with methylene-triphenylphosphorane on the key intermediate, 1-methyl-1-vinyl-2- isopropeny1-4-acetyl cyclohexane (X), which was obtained through the cyclisation of the dibromide (IX) with nickel carbonyl in DMF. The same intermediate (X) was subjected to Grignard reaction with methyl magnesium iodide to furnish elemol (II)