Terpinene

The terpinenes (stress on the third syllable, terpinenes ) are a group of three isomeric hydrocarbons with p- menthane- frame. Your occurring as phytochemicals representatives be included among the monoterpenes.

History

For the identification of the terpinenes and other aliphatic compounds in plants Otto Wallach was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1910. The Otto Wallach plaque, one of the mid-1960s by Otto Wallach fund approximately every 3-5 years, donated to 2002 price, shows on its back the structural formula of α -terpinene.

Occurrence

Terpinenes, in particular α - and γ - terpinene, are a component of many essential oils, such as tea tree oil or bergamot oil. Terpinene as well as the mixture of α -, β - and γ -terpinene is referred to, which is produced by the action of acids on limonene or pinene.

Properties

Terpinenes are colorless liquids with specific odors. They are isomeric hydrocarbons with p- menthane framework with the empirical formula C10H16 and a molecular weight of 136.23 g / mol, which differ only by different layers of its two double bonds:

• α -terpinene, p- mentha- 1 ,3-diene, lemon -like odor, boiling point 173.5 to 174.8 ° C
• β -terpinene, p- Mentha -1 ,7-diene, solvent odor with menthol note, boiling point 173-174 ° C
• γ -terpinene, p- mentha- 1 ,4-diene, pine-like "plastic " odor, boiling point 183 ° C

Terpinengemische are difficult to separate by distillation. The isomeric Limonene and Phellandrene also have a p- methane structure with two double bonds, but are not taken into Terpinenen. Also, the isomer α - terpinolene is partially - but not uniformly - called δ -terpinene.

Terpinene is considered to be allergenic, therefore there is the Association of Ecological Research Institutes ( AGÖF ) as " attention value ", the grounds for further inquiries through to rehabilitation is that indoor air concentration of 1 ug / m³ (! ) To (Jan. 2006). Incompatibilities with naturopathic substances such as tea tree oil, which has an antimicrobial effect are attributed partly to terpinene and 1,8- cineole.