Catalytic Oxidation Processes for the Upgrading of Terpenes: State-of-the-Art and Future Trends

Terpenic olefins constitute a relevant platform of renewable molecules, which could be used as key intermediates for the perfumery, flavoring, and pharmaceutical industries. The upgrading of these cheap and available agro-resources through catalytic oxidation processes remains of great interest, leading to the formation of either epoxides via the oxidation of the olefinic bond or alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones by the Csp(3)-H functionalization at the alpha-position of the double bond. This critical review summarizes some of the most relevant homogeneous or heterogeneous catalysts designed for the oxidation of some abundant terpenic olefins in the last decade (2008-2018).