A process for preparing a (3E,5Z,9Z)-16,16-dialkoxy-3,5,9-hexadecatriene compound of the following general formula (6):
- wherein R1 and R2 represent, independently of each other, a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, or R1 and R2 may form together a divalent hydrocarbon group, R1-R2, having 2 to 10 carbon atoms,
- the process comprising:
- deprotonating a (4Z)-11,11-dialkoxy-4-undecenyltriarylphosphonium halide compound (3-Z) of the following general formula (3-Z):
- wherein Y represents a halogen atom, Ar represents, independently of each other, an aryl group, and R1 and R2 are as defined above,
- in the presence of a base to form a reaction product mixture, and
- subjecting the reaction product mixture to a Wittig reaction with (2E)-2-pentenal of the following formula (5):
- to form the (3E,5Z,9Z)-16,16-dialkoxy-3,5,9-hexadecatriene compound (6).