The isomerisation of alpha-pinene oxide has been intensively investigated for selective preparation of campholenic aldehyde, a compound used in the synthesis of fragrances. Selective preparation of another product of alpha-pinene oxide rearrangement, trans-carveol, still remains a challenging task. Trans-carveol is a highly valuable compound used in perfume bases, food flavour compositions and as an active pharmaceutical substance in chemoprevention of mammary carcinogenesis. In the present work zeolite beta with different SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratios was modified by iron, characterised and tested per se and in the modified form for trans-carveol preparation from alpha-pinene oxide. The isomerisation reaction was carried out in a polar basic solvent N,N-dimethylacetamide at 140 degrees C. The activities and selectivities of the catalysts were correlated with their acid properties and with the iron content. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.