The Isomerization of Limonene over the Ti-SBA-15 Catalyst—The Influence of Reaction Time, Temperature, and Catalyst Content

The isomerization of limonene over the Ti-SBA-15 catalyst, which was prepared by the hydrothermal method, was studied. The main products of limonene isomerization were terpinolene, α-terpinene, γ-terpinene, and p-cymene—products with numerous applications. The amount of these products depended on reaction time, temperature, and catalyst content. These parameters changed in the following range: reaction time 30–1380 min, temperature 140–160 °C, and catalyst content 5–15 wt %. Finally, the most favorable conditions for the limonene isomerization process were established: a reaction time of 180 min, temperature of 160 °C, and amount of the catalyst 15 wt %. In order to obtain p-cymene (dehydroaromatization product), the most favorable conditions are similar but the reaction time should be 1380 min. The application of such conditions allowed us to obtain the highest amounts of the desired products in the shortest time.