Methoxylation is a relevant technological process applied in the production of high-value α-pinene derivatives.This report investigates the use of potassium alum [KAl(SO 4 ) 2 ⋅ 12H 2 O] as a catalyst in the methoxylation of α-pinene. In this study, the methoxylation reaction was optimized for the highest conversion of α-pinene and selectivity, assessed for the factors, catalyst loading (0.5; 1.0; and 1.5 g), volume ratio of α-pinene: methanol (1:4, 1:7, 1:10), reaction temperature (50, 55, 60 and 65 C), and reaction time (72, 144, 216, 288, 360 min). The highest selectivity of KAl(SO 4 ) 2 •12H 2 O in the methoxylation of α-pinene was achieved under an optimal condition of 1 g of catalyst loading, volume ratio of 1:10, as well as the reaction temperature and incubation time of 65 C and 6 h, respectively. GC-MS results revealed the yields of the methoxylated products from the 98.2% conversion of α-pinene, to be 59.6%, 8.9%, and 7.1% for α-terpinyl methyl ether (TME), fenchyl methyl ether (FME), bornyl methyl ether (BME), respectively. It was apparent that a lower KAl(SO 4 ) 2 •12H 2 O loading (0.5-1.5 g) was more economical for the methoxylation reaction. The findings seen here indicated the suitability of the KAl(SO 4 ) 2 ⋅ 12H 2 O to catalyze the methoxylation of α-pinene to produce an commercially important ethers.
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