It may be obtained by steam distillation of pulverized camphor trees which are at least 50 years old. The last step in the preparation is the oxidation of a mixture of isoborneol and borneol to camphor. Similarly, camphor can also be prepared from camphene, which is a structural isomer of a -pinene. The complete reaction sequence is shown on p712. The oxidation step in the lab text is carried out with Jones' reagent, which uses the toxic compound chromiun trioxide.
Acetic acid is used as the reaction solvent.
We will use this oxidant rather than Jones' reagent. Erlenmeyer flask with along with a stirring bar. Over a 15 minute period slowly add 4 mL of bleach with stirring. Continue stirring for 20 minutes. Periodically check the solution with starch iodide paper to ensure that bleach is still present.