The dehydrogenative synthesis of -damascenone from -damascone via the related allyl bromide intermediate was studied in depth. The requisite dehydrobromination thereof was found strongly solvent system dependent. Under respective conditions, the product was identified as dehydrogenation-derived a, 4-alkoxy-derived b and 4-oxo-derived c, accordingly. In addition, the conversion from b to a was successfully accomplished, thereby offering an alternative access (with one step more) to reach -damascenone. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.