Synthesis and olfactory evaluation of the enantiomerically enriched forms of 7,11-epoxymegastigma-5(6)-en-9-one and 7,11-epoxymegastigma-5(6)-en-9-ols isomers, identified in Passiflora edulis

A study on the synthesis of the isomers of the natural C-13 norterpenoids derivatives 7,11-epoxymegastigma-5(6)-en-9-one and 7,11-epoxymegastigma-5(6)-en-9-ols is reported. The latter compounds were prepared from readily available racemic alpha-ionone and then resolved by mean of lipase-mediated acetylation. The obtained enantiomerically forms were evaluated for their odour properties. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.