Dehydration products of 2-methylisoborneol

2-Methylenebornane and 2-methyl-2-bornene have previously been identified as dehydration or degradation products of 2-methylisoborneol (MIB), a compound responsible for taste and odour problems in various water environments. Previously, the identification of these products has been based on mass spectral analysis only. The dehydration of MIB under a variety of conditions was reinvestigated and the products fully characterised by 1H and 13C n.m.r. and GC-MS. Comparison of EI mass spectra of the dehydration products of MIB with those published previously indicate that earlier assignments of MIB dehydration products are incorrect.