Ambergris, a metabolite of the sperm whale, is one of the most remarkable animal perfumes. The autoor photo-oxidative decomposition of (+)-ambrein, the major constituent of ambergris, gives the five important odoriferous products that play a key role in the characteristic odor of ambergris. However, the unique olfactive and fixative properties are related principally to (-)-Ambrox, one of the decomposing products of (+)-ambrein and the commercially most important synthetic equivalent of ambergris, which has been successfully synthesized from various terpenods, Because of the correct stereochemical set up of the four contiguous chiral centers and ready availability, (-)-sclareol becomes the superior starting materials. In this article, the application and chemical composition of ambergris and the synthesis of (-)-Ambrox from (-)-sclareol by various oxidation-reduction-cyclization ways are reviewed with 38 references.

Key words: AMBERGRIS, CHEMICAL COMPOSITION, PERFUMES, SCLAREOL, OXIDATION REACTION, REDUCTION REACTION, CYCLIZATION