Dark Singlet Oxygenation of beta-Citronellol: A Key Step in the Manufacture of Rose Oxide

We describe the development of a scalable process for the dark singlet oxygenation of beta-citronellol as a key step in the manufacture of the fragrance compound, rose oxide. This process, based oil catalytic disproportionation of hydrogen peroxide into singlet oxygen and water, has been carried out oil production scale in 10 m(3) reactors.