Turpentine Oil Hydration Using Trichloroacetic Acid as Catalyst

Abstract

Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) was used as catalyst for the hydration of α-pinene from turpentin oil using water as hydroxyl donor. The reaction was performed in batch reactor at 70C, using aquous aceton as solvent. The TCA catalyst converted α-pinene into hydrocarbons, while the TCA catalyst was active and selective for producing alcohol, α-terpineol with selectivity of 87,56%.