Acid-catalyzed isomerization of caryophyllene in the presence of SiO2 and Al2O3 impregnated with sulfuric acid

Resumo

The conversion of caryophyllene upon contact with Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ impregnated with sulfuric acid was carried out, and the components of the resulting mixtures were identified. Having in hands such “standard” mixtures greatly facilitates identification of components of sesquiterpene fractions of essential oils and other mixtures of natural origin. The catalytic activity of silica gel impregnated with sulfuric acid (H⁺-SiO₂) in the acid-catalyzed isomerization of caryophyllene is significantly higher than that for H⁺-Al₂O₃ and is comparable with the activity of concentrated sulfuric acid.