Process for preparing cyclocitral

A process for preparing cyclocitral, comprising the steps of:

• a) epoxidizing a pyronene represented by formula (1) ##STR7## in which the dotted line represents only one double bond;
• and thereafter, b) converting the product from the first step into a cyclocitral represented by formula (2) ##STR8## in which the dotted lines in both formulas (1) and (2) represent only one double bond, wherein the pyronene is epoxidized by an epoxidizing agent selected from peracids and their derivatives, hydrogen peroxide, alkyl hydroperoxides, perborates and percarbonates, and wherein the epoxidation reaction is carried out in an inert medium in the presence of a solvent selected from the group consisting of water, ethereal solvents, halogenated solvents, aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, organic acids, alcohols and esters.