The selective conversion of citronellal to menthols, with good diastereoselectivities to (−)- menthol for the case of (+)-citronellal as starting material, can effectively be carried out in a one-step reaction under microwave irradiation catalysed by supported nanoparticles on mesoporous materials. 2% Pt/Ga-MCM-41 was found to be the optimum catalyst for the reaction, with a quantitative conversion of starting material and selectivities above 85% to ...
