MICROWAVE-ASSISTED alpha-PINENE ACIDIC CATALYTIC ISOMERISATION

A comparative study of microwave assisted alpha-pinene acidic catalytic isomerisation reactions with near-critical water procedure under microwave irradiation is presented. This study can be performed because in both cases the mechanism is similar, namely an acidiccatalyzed rearrangement. The non-critical method technique is milder using a lower temperature and pressure and a shorter reaction time than near-critical water conditions. The general aspect of the selectivity of the reaction products is changed, being higher for alpha-terpinolene and gamma-terpinolene and lower for limonene and camphene compared to the non-critical conditions.