Bisabolene-containing composition, process for preparing same, organoleptic uses thereof and uses thereof as insect repellent

A process for producing a bisabolene isomer mixture containing a majority of bisabolene isomers defined according to the generic structure:

• ##STR58## and, in addition, a minority of a mixture comprising compounds having the structures:
• ##STR59## wherein, in the mixture of compounds defined according to the structure:
• ##STR60## one of the dashed liens represents a carbon-carbon double bond and each of the other of the dashed lines represent carbon-carbon single bonds, comprising the steps of treating nerolidol defined according to the structure:
• ##STR61## with a catalyst selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid and critic acid at a temperature in the range of from 155.degree.-175.degree. C. for a period of time to yield a composition of matter containing a majority of bisabolene isomers defined according to the generic structure:
• ##STR62## and, in addition a minority of a mixture comprising compounds having the structures:
• ##STR63## and fractionally distilling the resulting product at a temperature in the range of 108.degree.-124.degree. C. and a pressure in the range of 2.8-3.20 mm Hg.