Abstract: A simple and practical procedure of epoxidation of α-pinene catalyzed by Mn²⁺ sulfate together with NH₄HCO₃ and CH₃CN as co-catalysts, using 30% H₂O₂ as oxidant is presented. The influences of the factors in the reaction were investigated. The optimum conditions are as follows: CH₃CN 15mL, NH₄HCO₃ 2g, tert-BuOH 60mL, 30% H₂O₂ 40mL when 8mL α-pinene. Under such conditions after 48h reaction time, the conversion of α-pinene was completed, the yield of 2,3-epoxypinane was 81% (by GC analysis).

Key words: α-pinene, epoxidation, dilute hydrogen peroxide, Mn²⁺ catalyst