Process for the conversion of terpenes

A process for the conversion of terpenes to .alpha.-methyl-methylstyrenes which comprises contacting at least one terpene selected from the group comprised of mono- and bi-cyclic unsaturated hydrocarbons having the formula C.sub.10 H.sub.16, with an alkali metal hydroxide catalyst on a support that has a surface area of at least 10 m.sup.2 /gm, at a temperature of 300.degree. to 475.degree. C.

A process for the conversion of terpenes to .alpha.-methyl-methylstyrenes which comprises contacting at least one terpene selected from the group comprised of mono- and bi-cyclic unsaturated hydrocarbons having the formula C.sub.10 H.sub.16, with an alkali metal hydroxide catalyst on a support, at a temperature of 300.degree. to 500.degree. C., at a liquid hour space velocity (LHSV) of 0.20 to 20.

A process for the conversion of terpenes to .alpha.-methyl-methylstyrenes which comprises contactat least one terpene selected from the group comprised of mono- and bi-cyclic unsaturated hydrocarbons having the formula C.sub.10 H.sub.16, with KOH on an aluminum oxide carrier at a temperature of 400.degree. to 475.degree. C. at a LHSV of 0.4 to 10.

A process for the conversion of terpenes to .alpha.-methyl-methylstyrenes which comprises contacting at least one terpene selected from the group comprised of mono- and bi-cyclic unsaturated hydrocarbons having the formula C.sub.10 H.sub.16 with KOH on an aluminum oxide carrier at a temperature of 400.degree. to 450.degree. C. at a LHSV of 0.4 to 10.

A process for the conversion of terpenes to .alpha.-methyl-methylstyrenes which comprises contacting at least one terpene selected from the group comprised of mono- and bi-cyclic unsaturated hydrocarbons having the formula C.sub.10 H.sub.16, with NaOH on a magnesium oxide carrier at a temperature of 400.degree. to 450.degree. C. at a LHSV of 0.4 to 10.

A process for the conversion of terpenes which comprises contacting at least one terpene selected from the group comprised of mono- and bi-cyclic unsaturated hydrocarbons having the formula, C.sub.10 H.sub.16, with an alkali metal hydroxide selected from the group of NaOH, and KOH, on an inert support with a surface area of at least 10 m.sup.2 /gm, at a temperature of 400.degree. to 475.degree. C. and at a LHSV of 0.4 to 10.