Chavicol (p-allylphenol) is a natural phenylpropene, a type of organic compound.[1] Its chemical structure consists of a benzene ring substituted with a hydroxy group and a propenyl group. It is a colorless liquid found together with terpenes in betel oil.
![]() | |
![]() | |
Names | |
---|---|
Preferred IUPAC name
4-(Prop-2-en-1-yl)phenol | |
Other names
4-Allylphenol; p-Allylphenol; para-Allylphenol
| |
Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol)
|
|
ChEBI | |
ChEMBL | |
ChemSpider | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.007.209 |
EC Number |
|
KEGG | |
PubChem CID
|
|
UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
|
|
| |
| |
Properties | |
C9H10O | |
Molar mass | 134.18 g/mol |
Density | 1.020 g/cm3 |
Melting point | 16 °C (61 °F; 289 K) |
Boiling point | 238 °C (460 °F; 511 K) (123 °C at 16 mmHg) |
2.46 g/L | |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
|
Properties and reactions
editChavicol is miscible with alcohol, ether, and chloroform. Dimerization of chavicol gives the neo-lignan magnolol.
Uses
editChavicol is used as an odorant in perfumery and as a flavor. It is found in many essential oils, including anise and gardenia.[2]
Biosynthesis
editChavicol is formed in sweet basil (Ocimum Basilicum) by the phenylpropanoid pathway via p-coumaryl alcohol. The allylic alcohol in p-coumaryl alcohol is converted into a leaving group. This then leaves thus forming a cation, this cation can be regarded as a quinone methide which then is reduced by NADPH to form either anol or chavicol.[3]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Lide, D. R., ed. (2005). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (86th ed.). Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press. ISBN 0-8493-0486-5.
- ^ "Chavicol, 501-92-8".
- ^ Vassão, Daniel G.; Gang, David R.; Koeduka, Takao; Jackson, Brenda; Pichersky, Eran; Davin, Laurence B.; Lewis, Norman G. (2006). "Chavicol formation in sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum): Cleavage of an esterified C9 hydroxyl group with NAD(P)H-dependent reduction". Org. Biomol. Chem. 4 (14): 2733–2744. doi:10.1039/b605407b. PMID 16826298.