2-Methylisoborneol, improved synthesis and a quantitative gas chromatographic method for trace concentrations producing odor in water

Abstract Naturally occurring 2-methylisoborneol, responsible for objectionable odor in some domestic water supplies, has been shown to exist in the enantiomeric form related to d -camphor. The synthesis by the action of methyllithium or methylmagnesium halides on d -camphor has been improved by the demonstration that the large amount of d -camphor in the crude product can be eliminated readily as the oxime. A method has been developed for the quantitation of 2-methylisoborneol in water down to the threshold-odor concentration of 0.1 μ/1. Camphor is added to the water as internal standard and the solution is extracted with 2% (v/v) of methylene chloride. The extract is concentrated to very small volume and analysed by gas chromatography using a flame ionization detector.