“Dark” Singlet Oxygenation of β-Citronellol: A Key Step in the Manufacture of Rose Oxide

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