Conversion of Limonene over Heterogeneous Catalysis: An Overview

Abstract

The natural terpene limonene is widely found in nature. The (R)-limonene (the most abundant enantiomer) is present in the essential oils of lemon, orange, and other citrus fruits, while the (S)- limonene is found in peppermint and the racemate in turpentine oil. Limonene is a low-cost, low toxicity biodegradable terpene present in agricultural wastes derived from citrus peels. The products obtained from the conversion of limonene are valuable compounds widely used as additives for food, cosmetics, or pharmaceuticals. The conversion of limonene to produce different products has been the subject of intense research, mainly with the objective of improving catalytic systems. This review focused on the application of heterogeneous catalysts in the catalytic conversion of limonene.

Keywords: Limonene; carvone; epoxidation; heterogeneous catalysis; low toxicity biodegradable; oxidation.