Method and the manufacture of cyclic mono and/or diketones from cyclic mono or sesqui terpenes by catalytic oxidation

A process for the preparation of cyclic mono and/or diketones which comprises reacting a cyclic mono or sesquiterpenoid hydrocarbon containing at least one unsubstituted methylene group adjacent to a double bond with oxygen or an oxygen containing gas in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formulas:

• M.sub.m (L.sub.2)nX.sub.p (O).sub.q
• where
• L.sub.2 is 2,2'-bipyridyl or 1,10-orthophenanonthroline, and either
• (a) M is Cu, m=2, X is I, Br or Cl, p=2, q=0;
• or
• (b) M is Cu, m=1, n=1, X is NO.sub.2, p=2 and q=0;
• or
• (c) M is Mo, m=1, n=1, X=Br, p=2 and q=2;
• R"L.sub.3 Cl
• where
• L is triphenylphosphine;
• ##STR3## where M is Co, X=2 to 3 and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 which may be the same or different represent methyl, ethyl, propyl, trifluoromethyl, phenyl or benzyl;
• and
• M(O).sub.m [(R.sub.1 CO)CH(COR.sub.2)].sub.n
• where
• R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 which may be the same or different represent methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, trifluoromethyl, phenyl or benzyl, and
• (a) M is V, m=1, n=2, or
• (b) M is Mo, m=2, n=2, or
• (c) M is Co, m=o, n=2, or
• (d) M is Co, m=o, n=2, or
• (e) M is Mn, m=o, n=2, or
• (f) M is Cu, m=o, n=2, or
• (g) M is Rh, m=o, n=3, or
• (h) M is Fe, m=o, n=3.