Enzymatic resolution of (±)-γ-cyclohomogeraniol and conversion of its (S)-Isomer to (S)-γ-coronal, the ambergris odorant Original Research Article

Enzymatic acetylation of (±)-γ-cyclohomogeraniol[2-(2′,2′-dimethyl-6′-methylenecyclohexyl)ethanol] with vinyl acetate in the presence of lipase AK yielded the acetate of its (R)-isomer, leaving its (S)-isomer intact. The (S)-isomer was chemically converted to (S)-γ-coronal[2-methylene-4-(2′,2′-dimethyl-6′-methylenecyclohexyl)butanal], the ambergris odorant.