Abstract. In the framework of the superstring inspired E 6 model, 'low-energy' extensions of the standard model compatible with leptogenesis are considered and masses of right-handed neutrinos in two scenarios allowed by long-lived protons are discussed. The presence of two additional generations allows breaking of B − L without generating nonzero vacuum expectation values of right-handed sneutrinos of the three known generations. After the symmetry breaking, right-handed neutrinos acquire Majorana masses M ν c ≃ 10 11 GeV. Within the framework of a simple discrete symmetry, assumptions made to provide a large mass of right-handed neutrinos are shown to be self-consistent. Supersymmetric structure of the theory ensures that large corrections, associated with the presence of a (super)heavy gauge field, cancel out.Breaking of B − L in superstring inspired E 6 model.