Balsam perfumery compound

Disconnection (1) means that we are looking for a reaction which is the acylation of an enolate anion (2). This is possible with esters (X = OR) or acid chlorides (X = Cl), The perfumery compound (5) (which has a fragrant balsamic odour of great power and tenacity ) can be disconnected to the enolate of a ketone and an ester. 

Cistus and labdanum products come from Mediterranean countries, mainly Spain, where the Cistus shrub grows abundantly. They are used widely in perfumery, giving perfume compositions a warm, balsamic tonality with a touch of ambergris. The typical odor originates from a number of compounds which are formed by oxidative degradation of diterpenes with labdane skeleton, which are the main constituents of labdanum gum [284a, 558 565aj. The resinoids and absolutes are excellent natural fixatives. FCT 1976 (14) p.335 [8016-26-0], [89997-74-0]. 

---