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

A method of repelling at least one of the insect species:

• (a) Musca domestica L.(Diptera:Muscidae);
• and/or
• (b) Aedes aegypti
• from a three dimensional space inhabited by at least one of said insect species comprising the step of exposing said three dimensional space inhabited by at least one of said insect species to a:
• (a) Musca domestica L.(Diptera:Muscidae);
• and/or
• (b) Aedes aegypti
• repelling concentration and quantity of an inspect repellent composition of matter consisting essentially of a bisabolene isomer containing composition prepared by treating nerolidol defined according to the structure:
• ##STR60## with a catalyst selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid and citric acid and heating the composition in the presence of a solvent at a temperature of from 155.degree. up to 175.degree. C. for a period of time such that a majority of isomers is prepared defined according to the structure:
• ##STR61## and, in addition, a minority of a mixture is prepared comprising compounds having the structures:
• ##STR62## wherein the mixture of compounds defined according to the structure:
• ##STR63## one of the dashed lines represents a carbon-carbon double bond and each of the other of the dashed lines represents carbon-carbon single bonds and fractionally distilling the resulting product at a temperature in the range of 109.degree.-124.degree. C. and a pressure in the range of 2.8-3.20 mm/Hg.

An insect repellent candle comprising a wick being surrounded by a cylindrical candle body, said candle body comprising a candle base and intimately admixed therewith a bisabolene isomer containing composition consisting essentially of a product prepared by treating nerolidol defined according to the structure:

• ##STR66## with a catalyst selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid and citric acid and heating the composition in the presence of a solvent at a temperature of from 155.degree. up to 175.degree. C. for a period of time such that a majority of isomers is prepared defined according to the structure:
• ##STR67## and in addition, a minority of a mixture is prepared comprising compound having the structures:
• ##STR68## wherein, in the mixture of compounds defined according to the structure:
• ##STR69## one of the dashed lines represents a carbon-carbon double bond and each of the other of the dashed lines represent carbon-carbon single bonds, and fractionally distilling the resulting product at a temperature in the range of 109.degree.-124.degree. C. and a pressure in the range of 2.8-3.20 mm/Hg.