The present study introduces kinetic modeling of liquid phase α-pinene acetoxylation with acetic acid over an ion-exchange resin catalyst. The reaction was carried out in a laboratory scale high-pressure autoclave. α-terpinyl (35 wt%) and bornyl (40 wt%) acetates were the primary products. The predominant reaction pathways were identified and evaluated. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012.