Oxidation of Geraniol on Vermiculite—The Influence of Selected Parameters on the Oxidation Process

Geraniol is a compound belonging to the group of monoterpenes that finds many applications in organic syntheses, medicine and cosmetics. The following properties of geraniol and its derivatives are of particular interest in medicine: its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer effects. The geraniol oxidation process was carried out using a mineral of natural origin—vermiculite. Vermiculite is a catalyst that perfectly fits into modern trends in the organic industry, where the aim is to use cheap, renewable and relatively easily available catalytic materials (vermiculite is found on continents including Africa, North America, South America, Australia and Asia). Preliminary studies on the oxidation process of geraniol on vermiculite was carried out in a glass apparatus using molecular oxygen supplied by means of a bubbler and magnetic stirrer with a heating function. During the oxidation process of geraniol on vermiculite, the influence of the following parameters was examined: the temperature, amount of catalyst and reaction time. The main parameters of the process, on the basis of which the most favorable process conditions were selected, were the selectivity of the transformation to 2,3-epoxygeraniol, citral and 2,3-epoxycitral, and the conversion of geraniol. The composition of the post-reaction mixtures was determined qualitatively and quantitatively using the gas chromatography method. In addition, vermiculite was subjected to instrumental tests, such as XRD, SEM, EDX, FTIR and UV-VIS. Moreover, the specific surface area, pore volume and pore volume distribution were estimated on the basis of N2 sorption at −196 °C and also the acid-site concentration in vermiculite was established.