Vanillyl group

The Vanillylgruppe (4- hydroxy-3 -methoxybenzyl ) is in organic chemistry, a functional group whose name is derived from vanillin. Compounds which possess a Vanillylgruppe, hot vanilloids. These include not only the vanillin among other vanillic acid, vanillylmandelic acid and capsaicinoids. Last adapting certain ion channels ( TRPV1 and TRPA1 ) to bind the thermal receptors on the tongue. That is the reason why hot peppers trigger a strong burning sensation on the tongue. The vanilloid receptor subfamily of TRP channels was named accordingly because of their affinity for Vanillylgruppe.

• Functional group