PRODUCTION OF DIHYDRONEPETALACTONE BY HYDROGENATION OF NEPETALACTONE

摘要

This invention provides a process for producing dihydronepetalactone using mixtures comprising both trans-cis nepetalactone and cis-trans nepetalactone. A reaction mixture comprising trans-cis nepetalactone and cis-trans nepetalactone is first contacted with hydrogen in the presence of at least one hydrogenation catalyst under conditions that optimise the preferential conversion of trans-cis nepetalactone to dihydronepetalactone. Cis-trans nepetalactone is subsequently converted to dihydronepetalactone by contact with hydrogen in the presence of at least one hydrogenation catalyst.