(-)-Germacrene D → β-bourbonene

Participants

Reaction Steps

100 g of the essential oil of Solidago altissima L. was distilled under reduced pressure and 14 g of germacrene D was obtained. 14 g of the germacrene D was dissolved in 2.6 l of n-hexane and the solution thus obtained was subjected to internal irradiation with the light of low pressure mercury lamp for 190 hours. 13 g of β-bourbonene was obtained. In the case of the irradiation with the light of high pressure mercury lamp the similar result was obtained. (Note: The above-mentioned irradiation time is for 14 g of germacrene D. If irradiation is to be given to 100 g of essential oil containing 40 g of germacrene D, irradiation time required will be about 540 hours.)

Provenance & Evidence