Aroma Chemicals by Direct Hydration/Etherification of Olefins: An Industrial Approach

Abstract

692-693α-Terpineol and dimethyl phenyl carbinol are prepared in excellent yields (85 per cent) by contacting an azeotropic mixture of the corresponding olefins, limonene or α-pinene and α-methylstyrene, with a strong cation exchange resin (H+ form). The corresponding methyl and ethyl ethers are prepared likewise by replacing water in the reaction mixture with methanol and ethanol respectively. While the methyl ethers are obtained in 75-80 per cent yield, the ethyl ethers are accompanied by the corresponding alcohols in equal proportion, in overall yield of 60-75 per cent