Methyl substituted tetrahydroindane alkyl enol ethers, perfumery uses thereof, processes for preparing same, and process intermediates

A mixture of compounds defined according to the structure:

• ##STR74## wherein R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 are the same or different methyl or ethyl;
• wherein R.sub.4 represents methyl or hydrogen;
• wherein R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 each represents methyl or ethyl with the provisos that:
• (1) at least three of R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 represent methyl;
• and
• (2) when each of R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 is methyl, then R.sub.4 is methyl.

A process for forming a composition of matter defined according to the structure:

• ##STR75## comprising the step of intimately admixing the compound defined according to the structure:
• ##STR76## with the compound defined according to the structure:
• ##STR77## in order to form the compound having the structure:
• ##STR78## in the presence of an acid ion exchange resin catalyst;
• and then further reacting the compound having the structure:
• ##STR79## in the presence of an acid ion exchange catalyst in order to form the composition of matter defined according to the structure:
• ##STR80## and then isolating the composition of matter defined according to the structure:
• ##STR81## wherein R.sub.1 is methyl or ethyl;
• wherein R.sub.4 represents methyl or hydrogen;
• wherein R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 each represents methyl or ethyl with the provisos that:
• (1) at least three of R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 represent methyl;
• and
• (2) when each of R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 is methyl, then R.sub.4 is methyl
• wherein R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 are the same or different methyl or ethyl;
• and wherein R.sub.9 is methyl or ethyl with the proviso that when R.sub.9 is methyl, R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 are both methyl;
• and when R.sub.9 is ethyl, R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 are both ethyl;
• and with the further proviso that when R.sub.1 is methyl, R.sub.7, R.sub.8 and R.sub.9 are methyl and when R.sub.1 is ethyl, R.sub.7, R.sub.8 and R.sub.9 are each ethyl.