Α-Myrcene Explained

α-Myrcene is a monoterpene that is an uncommon[1] isomer of β-myrcene. It has been found in the essential oils of a few species, such as the Balkan Pine[2] and lemongrass.[3]

It differs from the β isomer by the position of one of the three alkene units. The two chemicals can be synthesized in a 3:1 α:β isomeric ratio by pyrolysis of the acetate ester of myrcenol.[4]

Notes and References

  1. 10.1002/cssc.200900186 . Myrcene as a Natural Base Chemical in Sustainable Chemistry: A Critical Review . 2009 . Behr . Arno . Johnen . Leif . ChemSusChem . 2 . 12 . 1072–1095 . 20013989 . 2009ChSCh...2.1072B .
  2. 10.1021/jf991012a. Chemical Composition of Essential Oils from Needles and Twigs of Balkan Pine (Pinus peuce Grisebach) Grown in Northern Greece. 2000. Koukos. P. K.. Papadopoulou. K. I.. Patiaka. D. Th.. Papagiannopoulos. A. D.. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 48. 4. 1266–1268. 10775383. 2000JAFC...48.1266K.
  3. 10.1021/sc500562a . Extraction of Essential Oil from Leaves of Lemongrass Using Microwave Radiation: Optimization, Comparative, Kinetic, and Biological Studies . 2015 . Desai . Meghal A. . Parikh . Jigisha . ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering . 3 . 3 . 421–431 .
  4. 10.1021/jo01013a505 . α-Myrcene (2-Methyl-6-methylene-1,7-octadiene) . 1965 . Mitzner . B. M. . Theimer . E. T. . Steinbach . L. . Wolt . J. . The Journal of Organic Chemistry . 30 . 2 . 646–648 .

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