A new, Fe based, heterogeneous Lewis acid : selective isomerization of a-pinene oxide

Heterogeneous Fe supported catalysts prepared by grafting Fe(III) acetylacetonate under basic conditions onto pure silica and a series of modified silicas with variable amount of zirconia were prepared. Their characterization showed the presence of Fe3+ species, with complete surface dispersion of the iron-phase and without any Fe3O4 presence. These materials exhibit not only excellent activity in the liquid phase isomerization of a-pinene oxide but also good selectivity towards campholenic aldehyde, thus showing their Lewis acid nature.