The present work describes a novel oxidation of beta-pinene, with either dioxygen or hydrogen peroxide, over heterogeneous catalysts based on magnetite doped with Co or Mn, of general formula Fe3-xMxO4 (M = Mn, Co; x = 0-0.75) under solvent free conditions. In this process, beta-pinene is converted to the products valuable for perfume and flavor industries, i.e. pinocarveol, pinocarvone, myrtenol and myrtenal, in excellent selectivity of up to 95%. The total concentration of these derivatives in the final mixture reaches 25-30 wt.%. The catalysts undergo no metal leaching and can be easily recovered either magnetically or by filtration and reused several times. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.