D. Steiner, Lacie Ivison, C. T. Goralski
Oct 31, 2002
Citations
1
Influential Citations
55
Citations
Journal
Tetrahedron-asymmetry
Abstract
Abstract cis- and trans-Diastereomers of (R)-(+)-limonene oxide can be purified by simple kinetic separation of the commercially available (1:1) diastereomeric mixture of limonene oxides. Nucleophilic amines, such as pyrrolidine and piperidine, selectively open the epoxide ring of the trans-isomer, leaving the cis-limonene oxide largely unreacted. The unreacted cis-(R)-limonene oxide is recovered in up to 88% yield. On the other hand, less nucleophilic amines, such as triazole or pyrazole, selectively catalyze hydrolysis of the cis-limonene oxide to 1,2-limonene diol leaving the trans-limonene oxide largely unreacted. The unreacted trans-limonene oxide is recovered in up to 80% of the theoretical yield by a simple workup procedure. The cis- and trans-diastereomers of (R)-(+)-limonene oxide thus isolated were found to be >98% pure by both GC and NMR analyses. Thus, depending on the choice of amine, either cis- or trans-limonene oxide may be obtained in high diastereomeric purity by this simple and environmentally friendly method.