Highly selective rearrangement of β-epoxypinane to perillyl alcohol by ammonium phosphomolybdate bonded on activated carbon

The selective rearrangement of β-epoxypinane is a crucial step in the synthesis of perilla alcohol from inexpensive and readily available turpentine oil. The supported ammonium phosphomolybdate was prepared by chemical adsorption of phosphomolybdate on imidazolated activated carbon and then by ammonia fumigation, which has excellent catalytic performance in the rearrangement of β-epoxypinane to produce perillyl alcohol under mild conditions. The conversion of β-epoxypinane was nearly complete, and the selectivity of perillyl alcohol was as high as 77% in nitromethane at 80 °C for 80 min. The catalyst can be recycled after being washed in hot solvent.