• CSIR - Central Salt & Marine Chemicals Research Institute
  • G20
Organic chemicals including pharmaceuticals

Title of Process/ Know-how/ Product/Design/Equipment

Catalytic process for alpha-campholenic aldehyde

  • IPR
    IPR Status & Details:
  • In Process
Application/Uses/Problem being addressed
  • alpla-Campholenic aldehyde (CA) is an enormously important and industrially relevant perfumery compound. CA is used as the primary precursor of sandalwood oil.
  • CA is largely used by aroma industries for the production of Sandalwood oil as the end product to be used in various cosmetic/perfumery items. Due to huge demand, CA is primarily imported from China and a few European countries.
  • In general, the existing processes for this chemical employ environmentally questionable reagents and additives leading to production of (over) stoichiometric industrial wastes with an increase in the environmental hazards.
  • CSIR-CSMCRI has developed an indigenous process for CA in a sustainable manner by using locally available raw materials and reagents.
    • Salient Technical Features including Competing Features/ Impact
  • The CSMCRI process comprises of a two-step synthetic route starting from inexpensive alpha-pinene
  • Environmentally less hazardous process that employs indigenous raw materials
  • A clean process giving aqueous wastes
  • Scaled up to 1 kg level
  • High yield (>85%) and purity (93-95%) for CA were achieved
  • The process is consistently reproducible and thus, reliable for industrial scale production
    • TRL Level & Scale of Development:
    TRL 4

    Demonstration is ready at 1 Kg scale per batch with respect to Campholenic aldehyde

    Business scope & opportunity (in terms of scale, cost, market etc.):

    The total import of CA by Indian industries is significantly large (total import = 1976.6 MT, during 01.01.2018 to 31.07.2023). Owing to the cost-competitiveness and environmentally benign nature, the commercialization of the process is expected to result in import substitution of CA.

    Environmental Considerations:

    The CSMCRI process is safe, clean and environment friendly for the sake of betterment of life. All raw materials are non-toxic, non-hazardous and non-corrosive in nature. Water produced in the process can be treated at ETP before disposal.

    Status of Licensing:
    Status of Commercialization:
    Major Raw Materials Needed

    Alpha-Pinene, Hydrogen Peroxide, Catalyst and Solvents

    Major Plant Equipment and Machinery Required

    Customized reaction vessel equipped with addition pumps, Storage tanks, Solution preparation tanks, Jacketed Reactor with stirrer, Pumps, Filtration unit, Distillation unit.

    Techno-Economics

    The process is simple and utilize low cost starting materials without using complicated plant design. Therefore, ideally suitable for start-ups and MSME sectors. The process could be techno-economically feasible and competitive in the open market.

    Technology Package

    Process know-how; Demonstration of the process at 1 Kg batch

    Alpha-campholenic aldehyde