US Patent 7355066 Process for making terpene esters

A process for making terpene esters is disclosed. Reaction of a terpene alcohol with acetic anhydride in the presence of a high-boiling amine provides a terpene ester. Acetic acid, which is distilled from the reaction mixture as it forms can be recovered. The terpene ester is distilled from the high-boiling amine to provide a product that is substantially free of nitrogen-containing impurities. The reaction mixture can be reused for subsequent acylations. The simple, economical process gives high-quality terpene esters while avoiding waste-disposal issues of other common acylation procedures.