Bifunctional copper catalysts. Part III. Carvenone synthesis starting from limonene oxide

Different silica-aluminas were shown to be effective catalysts for the opening of limonene oxide. Moreover, the two geometric isomers react at different rates to give different products; this allowed a kinetic resoln. Some silica-alumina cogels can also be used as supports for copper based catalysts, allowing the direct transformation of limonene oxide into carvenone.