Reactivity of α- pinene epoxide in supercritical solvents

• Published in: The Journal of supercritical fluids Vol. 52; no. 1; pp. 71 - 75
• Main Authors: Anikeev, V.I., Il’ina, I.V., Volcho, K.P., Yermakova, A., Salakhutdinov, N.F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.02.2010
• Subjects: Supercritical carbon dioxide and low alcohols; Transformation of α- pinene epoxide; Supercritical carbon dioxide and low alcohols; Transformation of α- pinene epoxide
• ISSN: 0896-8446; 1872-8162
• DOI: 10.1016/j.supflu.2009.11.003

Thermal transformations of α- pinene epoxide in composite supercritical solvents that contain CO 2, lower alcohols (ethanol, isopropyl alcohol) and water were studied in the temperature range of 387–575 K at pressure 13.5–21.5 MPa. Campholenic aldehyde and carveol were shown to be the main products of α- pinene epoxide reactions in supercritical solvents containing water. In the absence of water, thermolysis of α- pinene epoxide in supercritical solvent yields campholenic aldehyde and pinocamphone, with their total amount in the reaction mixture attaining 80%. Suggestions were made on the mechanism of α- pinene epoxide thermal isomerization depending on acidity of supercritical solvent.