Abstract: | The total syntheses of 1,2,7,8,1',2',7',8'-octahydro-psi,psi-carotene (1), 1,2,7,8-tetrahydro-psi,psi-carotene (2), 1,2,1',2'-tetradehydro-psi,psi-carotene (3), 1,2-dihydro-psi,psi-carotene (4), 1,2-dihydor-3,4-didehydro-psi,psi-carotene (5), and 1,2,1',2'-tetrahydro-3,4,3',4'-tetrahydro-psi,psi-carotene (6) are described. The properties of products and intermediates, including the three new apocarotenals 1,2,7,8-tetrahydro-12'-apo-psi-caroten-12'-al (20), 1,2-dihydro-8'-apo-pse-caroten-8'-al (25), and 1,2-dihydro-3,4-didehydro-8'-apo-psi-carotene-8'-al (32), are reported. A fragment ion at M68 on electron impact appears to be characteristic for carotenoids with a 1,2,7,8-tetrahydro end-group. |