Catalytic transformation of eucalyptus oil and its primary component, 1,8-cineole into value-added products: a state-of-the art review

Eucalyptus has garnered significant attention as a renewable feedstock for producing high-value products and fine chemicals, especially due to its rich chemical profile, dominated by monoterpenes such as 1,8-cineole. 1,8-Cineole makes eucalyptus a valuable resource for industries such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, aromatherapy, pesticides, flavoring, fragrances, and biofuels. This review highlights recent advancements in utilizing eucalyptus-derived compounds and 1,8-cineole, for the synthesis of value-added products focusing on catalytic methods, including homogeneous, heterogeneous, and biological catalysis, which enable the selective and efficient conversion of eucalyptus constituents into desired products. The environmental and economic advantages of eucalyptus such as its renewability, widespread availability, and minimal environmental impact are highlighted, demonstrating its potential to replace unsustainable feedstocks and support greener industrial processes. Challenges like scaling production, optimizing catalytic pathways, and managing feedstock variability are discussed, while exploring opportunities for future research. The review also addresses the versatility of eucalyptus-derived products across multiple sectors and underscores its role in fostering innovation in green chemistry and sustainable chemical production. By integrating recent findings and exploring emerging trends, this paper aims to establish eucalyptus as a cornerstone in the development of environmentally friendly and economically viable pathways for producing high-value chemicals, thereby contributing to a sustainable bioeconomy.