The present invention provides an intermediate compound used for synthesis of polyene chain structure, that is an important moiety of carotenoid compounds, a process for preparing the same, and carotenoid polyene chain compounds prepared by using the intermediate, and, in particular, a process for preparing lycopene. The process for preparing the carotenoid polyene chain compound employs an allylic sulfone compound as starting material, which is reacted with C-5 sulfide compound to extend the ca...

The novel intermediate compound which can be efficiently utilized in the synthesis of carotenoid compounds based on the sulfone chemistry, the preparation method of the same, and the practical synthetic process for preparing .beta.-carotene by the use of the above novel compound are disclosed. The synthesis of .beta.-carotene is characterized by the double elimination reactions of the C.sub.40 compound containing both the benzenesulfonyl group and the group X (either halogen or ether), which can...

A process for preparing .beta.-carotene, represented by Formula 3 ##STR1## staring from a sulfone compound of Formula B ##STR2##

A process for making 2,7-dimethyl-2,4,6-octatrien-1,8-dial starting form an allylic halide is described. The process steps include aldehyde protection, conversion to a sulfide, oxidation to an allylic sulfone followed by a Ramberg-Backlund reaction and hydrolysis.

Diallylic sulfides represented by Formula I ##STR1## wherein: R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently chosen from the group consisting of --CHO, --CH.sub.2 Cl, --CH.sub.2 Br, --CH.sub.2 I, --CH.sub.2 OH, CH.sub.2 OSO.sub.2 CF.sub.3, --CH.sub.2 OSO.sub.2 Ph, --CH.sub.2 OSO.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.4 CH.sub.3 and --CH.sub.2 OSO.sub.2 CH.sub.3 and processes for making the same.