Aryl beta diketones and their use as odorants

A fragrance composition comprising a compound of formula (I)

• wherein
• R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, hydroxyl, methoxy, CF3 and F;
• R2 is selected from the group consisting of methyl and ethyl;
• R3 is selected from the group consisting of methyl and ethyl;
• and
• Y is a bivalent residue selected from the group consisting of
• —C(O)—;
• —CH═CH—C(O)—;
• —CRIRII—C(O)—, wherein RI and RII are independently selected from hydrogen and methyl;
• and —CHRIII—CHRIV—C(O)—, wherein RIII and RIV are independently selected from hydrogen and methyl with the proviso, that RIII═RIV are hydrogen or either RIII or RIV is methyl;
• and at least one additional odorant.

A fragranced article comprising as odorant a compound of formula (I), or a mixture thereof,

• wherein
• R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, hydroxyl, methoxy, CF3 and F;
• R2 is selected from the group consisting of methyl and ethyl;
• R3 is selected from the group consisting of methyl and ethyl;
• and
• Y is a bivalent residue selected from the group consisting of
• —C(O)—;
• —CH═CH—C(O)—;
• —CRIRII—C(O)—, wherein RI and RII are independently selected from hydrogen and methyl;
• and —CHRIII—CHRIV—C(O)—, wherein RIII and RIV are independently selected from hydrogen and methyl with the proviso, that RIII═RIV are hydrogen or either RIII or RIV is methyl;
• and a consumer product base.

A method of improving, enhancing or modifying a consumer product base by means of addition thereto of an olfactory acceptable amount of a compound of formula (I)

• wherein
• R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, hydroxyl, methoxy, CF3 and F;
• R2 is selected from the group consisting of methyl and ethyl;
• R3 is selected from the group consisting of methyl and ethyl;
• and
• Y is a bivalent residue selected from the group consisting of
• —C(O)—;
• —CH═CH—C(O)—;
• —CRIRII—C(O)—, wherein RI and RII are independently selected from hydrogen and methyl;
• and —CHRIII—CHRIV—C(O)—, wherein RIII and RIV are independently selected from hydrogen and methyl with the proviso, that RIII═RIV are hydrogen or either RIII or RIV is methyl
• or a precursor thereof.

A compound of formula (I)

• wherein
• R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, hydroxyl, methoxy, CF3 and F;
• R2 is methyl;
• R3 is selected from the group consisting of methyl and ethyl;
• and
• Y is a bivalent residue selected from the group consisting of —CHRIII—CHRIV—C(O)—, wherein RIII and RIV are independently selected from hydrogen and methyl with the proviso that RIII═RIV are hydrogen or either RIII or RIV is methyl;
• 2-ethyl-1-(p-tolyl)butane-1,3-dione, and 2-methyl-1-(p-tolyl)pentane-1,3-dione.

A precursor having the formula (II)

• capable of generating a compound of formula (I),
• wherein
• R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, hydroxyl, methoxy, CF3 and F;
• R2 is selected from the group consisting of methyl and ethyl;
• R3 is selected from the group consisting of methyl and ethyl;
• Y is a bivalent residue selected from the group consisting of
• —C(O)—;
• CH═CH—C(O)—;
• —CRIRII—C(O)—, wherein RI and RII are independently selected from hydrogen and methyl;
• and —CHRIII—CHRIV—C(O)—, wherein RIII and RIV are independently selected from hydrogen and methyl with the proviso that RIII═RIV are hydrogen or either RIII or RIV is methyl;
• and
• wherein R4 and R5, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a pyrrolidine or a piperidine ring.