Abstract The reaction of citral with anhydrous base leads initially to a cyclohexa-1, 3- dienecarbaldehyde. Stronger base and longer reaction times result in deconjugation to a cyclohexa-1, 4-diene-carbaldehyde, together with oxidative loss of six carbon atoms to yield 2-methyl-4-(4-methylpent-3-enyl) benzaldehyde. A mixed aldol reaction between citral and 3- methyl-2-butenal (= senecia aldehyde) is described.
![[2-methyl-4-(4-methylpent-3-enyl)phenyl]methanol结构式](https://image.chemsrc.com/caspic/270/61447-99-2.png)
