An experimental investigation of chlorine''s action on Pinene and optimization for 2,6-dichlorocamphane

Optimization for 2,6-dichlorocamphane from continuous flow reactions of chlorine with [proportional to]-pinene was accomplished using the simplex algorithm of Spendley, Hext, and Himsworth, as modified by Nelder and Mead. The yields (20-25%) obtained were 3.5 times greater than the best value previously reported in the literature. A central composite design study revealed that a second-order polynomial was not a good approximation for the response surface in carbon tetrachloride. The mole ratio of chlorine to [proportional to]-pinene appeared to have some impact on determining the yield of 2,6-dichlorocamphane, especially when the ratio was less than or approximately equal to one.