H- and Fe-modified zeolite beta catalysts for preparation of trans-carveol from α-pinene oxide

The isomerisation of α-pinene oxide has been intensively investigated for selective preparation of campholenic aldehyde, a compound used in the synthesis of fragrances. Selective preparation of another product of α-pinene oxide rearrangement, trans-carveol, still remains a challenging task. Trans-carveol is a highly valuable compound used in perfume bases, food flavour compositions and as an active pharmaceutical substance in chemoprevention of mammary carcinogenesis.In the present work zeolite beta with different SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratios was modified by iron, characterised and tested per se and in the modified form for trans-carveol preparation from α-pinene oxide. The isomerisation reaction was carried out in a polar basic solvent N,N-dimethylacetamide at 140 °C. The activities and selectivities of the catalysts were correlated with their acid properties and with the iron content.