  By making a renormalization group analysis we explore the possibility of
having a 331 model as the only intermediate gauge group between the standard
model and the scale of unification of the three coupling constants. We shall
assume that there is no necessarily a group of grand unification at the scale
of convergence of the couplings. With this scenario, different 331 models and
their corresponding supersymmetric versions are considered, and we find the
versions that allow the symmetry breaking described above. Besides, the allowed
interval for the 331 symmetry breaking scale, and the behavior of the running
coupling constants are obtained. It worths saying that some of the
supersymmetric scenarios could be natural frameworks for split supersymmetry.
Finally, we look for possible 331 models with a simple group at the grand
unification scale, that could fit the symmetry breaking scheme described above.
