Thujene

As Thujene a group of terpenes is called. These are the isomers of α - arborvitae, arborvitae and β - sabinene. Thujene are bicyclic, unsaturated compounds, which differ by the position of their double bond and the spatial arrangement of its substituents.

Representative

Occurrence

Thujene are natural substances, which in Sadebaumöl [( )- sabinene, 30 %] in the medicinal plant Zanthoxylum rhetsa [( -)- sabinene ], in the resin of Boswellia serrata [( )- α - thujene ], Mango leaf oil ( Mangifera indica) and in the oil of the Western tree of Life [( -)- α - thujene ] occur.

2- arborvitae ( Thuja - β ) has not yet been identified in nature.

Biosynthesis

The biosynthesis of α - thuja and sabinene occurs from α -terpinene. The required cation of terpinene here is obtained from geranyl pyrophosphate.