The Vapor Phase Dehydrogenation of Sesquiterpene Alcohols with the Catalyst Systems Composed of Copper and Zinc under Reduced Pressure

Abstract

The dehydrogenation of sesquiterpene alcohols, such as longibolneol, longifenchyl alcohol, isolongiborenyl alcohol and longihomocamphenilol was investigated, over the catalyst systems composed of copper and zinc.
The selectivity to oxo compounds obtainable from above experiments, was mainly dependent on the reaction temperatures, and desired oxo compounds were prepared easily in 94-98% yield, when the reaction was carried out at 291-315°C and under 25-35 mmHg.
The oxo derivatives obtained import wooden odor.