A highly efficient oxidation of limonene with hydrogen peroxide promoted by cheap aluminum oxide has been studied. The reaction is a rare example of the epoxidation promoted by a derivative of non-transition metal having a single stable non-zero oxidation state (SSOS metal), and it affords epoxides which are highly valuable products (fragrances, food additives and monomers). Typically, ethyl acetate at 80 degrees C was used as a solvent. The experimental data have been described by the proposed kinetic scheme. The optimization of the limonene epoxidation using a 2(3) experimental design has been carried out. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.