Thermal Decomposition Reaction of Monocyclic and Bicyclic Monoterpene Oxides in Mixed Fused Salts -Studies on the Thermal Decomposition of Terpenes in Mixed Fused Salts. VI.-

Abstract

Thermal decomposition reactions of trans-limonene-1, 2-oxide [1], 1, 2-epoxy-3-p-menthene [2], 1, 2-epoxy-4-p-menthene [3], 2-pinene oxide [4] and 2(10)-pinene oxide [5] were carried out in ZnCl₂/KCl/NaCl fused salts (chloride fused salts) or NaNO₂/NaNO₃/KNO₃ fused salts (nitrate fused salts). In the chloride fused salts, neo- and isodihydrocarvone [7] and [8] were obtained as the two main products from [1]. Under particular conditions, the ratio of [7] to [8] was 2: 3. α-Campholenaldehyde [18] and pinocarvone [19] were obtained from [4] as the two main products, amounting to more than 97% of the thermal decomposition products. Myrtanal [21] was obtained as the principal component from [5]with the 70% selectivity.