SELECTIVE LIQUID-PHASE TRANSFORMATION OF ALPHA-PINENE OVER DEALUMINATED MORDENITES AND Y-ZEOLITES

Dealuminated mordenite (MOR) and faujasite (FAU) zeolites, and a 13% a lumina amorphous aluminosilicate were tested as catalysts for the liqu id-phase transformation of cr-pinene at 120 degrees C in a batch react or. Limonene and camphene were the main products observed over zeolite s. Mordenites gave the maximum yield (68%) of limonene and camphene wi th a selectivity of camphene/(limonene+camphene) greater than 0.54. Wi der pore diameters and larger pore volumes gave higher yields of undes ired products, probably sesquiterpenes and other heavy compounds. The amorphous aluminosilicate selectivity to camphene+limonene was the poo rest (18%) and gave the highest yield of undesired products (48%). The specific transformation rate of cl-pinene passes through a maximum at 0.4 Al-IV per 1000 Angstrom(3) Of unit cell, corresponding to 1 Al-IV /MOR unit cell or 6 Al-IV/FAU unit cell. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V . All rights reserved.