Modeling and Optimization of Geraniol ((2E)-3,7-Dimethyl-2,6-Octadiene-l-ol) Transformation Process Using Response Surface Methodology (RSM)

Abstract

This paper presents the modeling of the geraniol transformation process using response surface methodology (RSM). It uses a combination of both statistical and mathematical modeling methods to study the relationships occurring between several explanatory variables and one or more response variables. Interactions occurring between process variables are studied using statistical techniques. In this paper, the influence of the most important process parameters, such as temperature 20–110 °C, catalyst concentration (mironecuton) 1.0–5.0 (wt.%), and reaction time 0.25–2 (h), is presented. The response functions were the conversion of geraniol (GA), the selectivity of conversion to thumbergol (TH), and the selectivity of conversion to 6,11-dimethyl-2,6,10-dodecatriene-1-ol (DMC). In addition, the effects of all control parameters on each of the response parameters were presented in the form of second-order polynomials. Attempts were made to identify process conditions that would allow high values of the process function.