Catalytic transformation of ar-curcumene epoxide over alumina-rare earth oxide catalysts

An interesting rearrangement of ar-curcumene oxide over single oxides like Al 2 O 3 , Y 2 O 3 , Eu 2 O 3 , Nd 2 O 3 , Sm 2 O 3 and binary oxides like Al 2 O 3 -Y 2 O 3 , Al 2 O 3 -Eu 2 O 3 , Al 2 O 3 -Sm 2 O 3 and Al 2 O 3 -Nd 2 O 3 is described. Among single oxides, Al 2 O 3 favourably yielded alcohols while rare earth oxides favoured the formation of ketones. Activity and selectivity considerably changed when binary oxides are used as catalysts.