Synthesis of (−)‐3‐Carene‐2,5‐dione via Allylic Oxidation of (+)‐3‐Carene

Activated carbon‐supported CuCl₂ (CuCl₂/AC) is a heterogeneous catalyst for the liquid‐phase selective allylic oxidation of (+)‐3‐carene with tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) and O₂ to produce (?)‐3‐carene‐2,5‐dione. The possible reaction mechanism and the effects of different factors on the allylic oxidation were investigated. The optimal conditions are as follows: reaction temperature, 45 °C; molar ratio of CuCl₂ to (+)‐3‐carene, 1%; volume ratio of (+)‐3‐carene to TBHP, 1:3; and reaction time, 12 h. Under the optimal conditions, the conversion of (+)‐3‐carene reached 100%, whereas the selectivity for (?)‐3‐carene‐2,5‐dione reached 78%. The CuCl₂/AC catalyst was characterized via X‐ray diffraction, and the chemical structure of the target compound was identified via infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and optical analysis.