Isomerization of α-pinene to camphene

The catalytic isomerization reaction of α-pinene to camphene over a clinoptilolite catalyst was investigated in a batch reactor open to the atmosphere between 130 and 155 °C. The catalyst was selective to the isomerization of α-pinene to camphene. The effects of several variables, such as reaction temperature, amount of catalyst, stirring speed and catalyst particle size, on the conversion of α-pinene and selectivity to camphene were determined. The reaction fits a first-order parallel reaction with rate constants of k1 = 3.020&middot10-2 e-33381.6/RT for the production of camphene and of k2 = 1.576&middot10-2 e-31096.53/RT for the production of limonene.