Liquid Phase Isomerization of α-Pinene. Study of the Reaction on Sulfated ZrO2

The α-pinene isomerization reaction was studied on sulfated zirconium oxide catalyst for different experimental conditions. The catalysts are active for producing camphene when they present Bronsted acidity and when zirconium oxide crystallizes in the tetragonal phase. The α-pinene conversion and its selectivity to camphene can be optimised by proper selection of operating conditions such as temperature, catalyst concentration and reaction time. The use of this catalyst in the appropriate conditions can result in selectivity to camphene of about 70%.