The reaction of (R)-limonene with equimolar amount of S-thioacetic or S-thiobenzoic acids in refluxing toluene proceeded regioselectively in anti-Markovnikoff fashion forming 9-[(4R, 8RS)-p-menthenyl] S-thiocarboxylates (71 and 61% yield, respectively). The montmorillonite K-10 clay-catalyzed reaction of (R)-limonene with S-thioacetic acid led to the S-thioester (65%) along with p-menthadienes and p-cymene. It was observed that K-10 clay promoted the isomerization of limonene to p-menthadienes and further disproportionation to p-cymene.
(R)-limonene; S-thioester; montmorillonite K-10
