Terpenoids Contents: Introduction Isoprene Units Classification Structure elucidation
Introduction Enzymatic resections of primary metabolites (amino acids, sugars, vitamins, etc.) produce secondary metabolites. Terpenes are the most common type of secondary metabolite, and they are made up of five-carbon isoprene units linked together in numerous different ways. Terpenes are simple hydrocarbons, whereas terpenoids are a modified family of terpenes with various functional groups and an oxidised methyl group relocated or removed. Depending on the number of carbon units, terpenoids are classified as monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, sesterpenes , and triterpenes. Terpenes and terpenoids can be found in abundance in the essential oils of various plants and flowers. These essential oils are commonly used in perfume and traditional medicine manufacture.
Contd … Terpenes are a natural product that includes compounds with the formula (C 5 H 8 ) n . These unsaturated hydrocarbons, made up of over 30,000 compounds, are produced mainly by plants, particularly conifers. Monoterpenes (C 10 ), sesquiterpenes (C 15 ), diterpenes (C 20 ), and so on are the different types of terpenes. Alpha-pinene, a primary component of turpentine, is a well-known monoterpene. (C10H16)
Contd … Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in various plants. Many plants, such as cannabis, pine, lavender, and the fresh orange peel, have aromatic substances that give them their unique perfume. Classification of trepenes : T erpenes are categorised according to the number of isoprene units in the molecule; a prefix indicates the number of isoprene pairs required to construct the molecule. Terpenes typically have 2, 3, 4, or 6 isoprene units; tetraterpenes (8 isoprene units)
Classification Hemiterpenes are made up of just one isoprene unit. The only hemiterpene is isoprene, while oxygen-containing compounds like prenol and isovaleric acid are hemiterpenoids. Monoterpenes have the chemical formula C 10 H 16 and are made up of two isoprene units. Sesquiterpenes have the chemical formula C 15 H 24 and are made up of three isoprene units. Diterpenes have the chemical formula C 20 H 32 and are made up of four isoprene units. Sesterterpenes , which have 25 carbons and five isoprene units, are rather uncommon compared to the other sizes. Triterpenes have the chemical formula C 30 H 48 and are made up of six isoprene units. Sesquarterpenes have the chemical formula C 35 H 56 and are made up of seven isoprene units. Tetraterpenes have the chemical formula C 40 H 64 and include eight isoprene units. Polyterpenes are made up of long chains that contain multiple isoprene molecules.