Stereospecific synthesis of trans‐β‐terpineol

Abstract β‐Terpineol, a minor constituent of commercial terpineol as well as of some essential oils, is a mixture of cis and trans isomers, separation of which by physical methods is laborious while chemical methods involve a number of steps. A direct, simple synthesis of trans ‐β‐terpineol from ( + )‐limonene via its trans ‐ 1,2‐oxide is described.