Applied Catalysis A: General, Vol.173, No.1, 75-85, 1998
Selective liquid-phase transformation of alpha-pinene over dealuminated mordenites and Y-zeolites
Dealuminated mordenite (MOR) and faujasite (FAU) zeolites, and a 13% alumina amorphous aluminosilicate were tested as catalysts for the liquid-phase transformation of cr-pinene at 120 degrees C in a batch reactor. Limonene and camphene were the main products observed over zeolites. Mordenites gave the maximum yield (68%) of limonene and camphene with a selectivity of camphene/(limonene+camphene) greater than 0.54. Wider pore diameters and larger pore volumes gave higher yields of undesired products, probably sesquiterpenes and other heavy compounds. The amorphous aluminosilicate selectivity to camphene+limonene was the poorest (18%) and gave the highest yield of undesired products (48%). The specific transformation rate of cl-pinene passes through a maximum at 0.4 Al-IV per 1000 Angstrom(3) Of unit cell, corresponding to 1 Al-IV/MOR unit cell or 6 Al-IV/FAU unit cell.