Abstract: α,β-Unsaturated alkynyl alcohols, such as dehydronerolidol, dehydrogeranyllinalool, and dehydroisophytol, were prepared by ethynylation of turpentine derivatives,namely terpenylacetones, e.g. geranylacetone, farnesylacetone, and phyton under normal pressure in presence of alkali metal hydroxide and organic solvents. Results of ethynylation were influenced by factors, such as, reaction temperature, reaction time, variety of solvent, and amount of alkali. The yields of dehydronerolidol, dehydrogeranyllinalool, and dehydroisophytol, under suitable conditions of ethynylation of the three terpenylacetones, were 85.7%, 86.7%, and 74.4%, respectively.

Key words: turpentine derivatives, ethynylation under normal pressure, terpenylacetones