Synthesis of β-Ionone

β-Ionone was obtained from Litsea cubeba oil through two step reaction of condensation and cyclization.Factors influencing the reaction were studied,such as kind and consumption of catalysts and solvents,ratio of reagents and reaction temperature.The optimum results showed that the rate of condensation achieved 98 4% at n (acetone)∶ n (citral) = 9∶1, n (major catalyst)∶ n (citral)=0 50∶1 00,concentration of major catalyst 5%,reation temperature 308 K and with C-1 as cocatalyst.The rate of cyclization achieved 99 7% at m (catalyst)∶ m (pseudoionone)=2 0∶1 0, m (solvent)∶ m (pseudoionone)=2 0∶1,reation temperature 263 K,with H-1 as catalyst and S-1 as solvent.The total yield was up to 47 5% with the product purity≥92%.