Pseudoisoeugenol Explained

Pseudoisoeugenol is a naturally occurring phenylpropene and an isomer of eugenol.^[1]

Natural occurrence and derivatives

Pseudoisoeugenol naturally occurs in the essential oils of roots from plants within the genus Pimpinella.^[2] In addition to its standard form, the compound also occurs in a variety of structural derivatives. Common derivatives include the compound with its side chain bearing an epoxide functional group and the aromatic ring being associated with one of many possible esters in the 2nd position. Common esters include angelic acid, 2-methylbutanoic acid, tiglic acid, and 2-methylpropionic acid esters. Hydrolysis of these esters, either in-vivo or by using strong acids, forms 2-methyl-5-methoxybenzofuran.^[3]

Biosynthesis

Biosynthesis of the compound is hypothesized to proceed via a NIH shift of anethole.^[4]

See also

• Isoeugenol

Notes and References

1. Book: Reichling. Jürgen. Galati. Enza Maria. Jodral. Manuel Miró. Illicium, Pimpinella and Foeniculum. 2004. CRC Press LLC. New York. 9780203022320. 79–90. 1st.
2. Santos. Paula M.. Figueiredo. A. Cristina. Oliveira. M. Margarida. Barroso. José. Pedro. Luis G.. Deans. Stanley G.. Younus. A.K.M.. Scheffer. Johannes J.C.. Essential oils from hairy root cultures and from fruits and roots of Pimpinella anisum. Phytochemistry. 1998. 48. 3. 455–460. 10.1016/S0031-9422(98)00022-3.
3. Martin. R.. Reichling. J.. Becker. H.. Reinvestigation of the Phenylpropanoids from the Roots of Pimpinella Species. Planta Medica. 1985. 51. 3. 198–202. 10.1055/s-2007-969455.
4. Reichling. Jürgen. Martin. Rainer. Further Studies on the Biosynthesis of Pseudoisoeugenols in Tissue Cultures of Pimpinella anisum. Institut für Pharmazeutische Biologie der Universität Heidelberg. 1990. 45. 9–10. 942–948.