The oxidation of borneol can lead to several side reactions, particularly when sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is introduced to acetic acid, resulting in the formation of chloronium ions. The reaction produces chlorine gas, which can interact with camphor and any residual acid or base. While the primary product of this oxidation is camphor, there is a potential for the formation of cyclohexene as a minor product due to the reaction of hypochlorite with other hydrogen atoms on the borneol structure. Additionally, the presence of cyclohexanone allows for keto-enol tautomerism, which may further influence the reaction dynamics with hypochlorite or chlorine, potentially leading to additional products. Overall, the major focus remains on camphor production, with side reactions including the formation of cyclohexene and the implications of tautomerism.
