Allylic Chlorination of Terpenic Olefins using a Combination of MoCl5 and NaOCl

MoCl5 is applied as efficient agent in allylic chlorination of terpenic olefins in the presence of NaOCl as chlorine donor. Various terpenes are converted to the corresponding allylic chlorides in moderate to good yield under mild and optimized reaction conditions. Different molybdenum precursors are also studied. Among them, MoO3 gives good yield, but after a longer reaction time.