Zingiberene
| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name
2-Methyl-5-(6-methylhept-5-en-2-yl)cyclohexa-1,3-diene
| |
| Other names
(-)-Zingiberene
alpha-Zingiberene α-zingiberene | |
| Properties | |
| C15H24 | |
| Molar mass | 204.357 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless liquid |
| Odor | Ginger-like |
| Density | 0.8713 g/cm3 |
| Boiling point | 270.7 °C (519.3 °F; 543.8 K) (at 760 mmHg) 134–135 °C (273–275 °F; 407–408 K) (at 15 mmHg)[1] |
| 0.1498 g/100 ml (25 °C) | |
| Solubility | Miscible with organic solvents |
| Vapor pressure | 0.011 mmHg (at 25 °C) |
| Hazards | |
| Safety data sheet | Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc. |
| Flash point | 107.5 °C (225.5 °F; 380.65 K) |
| Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
| Infobox references | |
Zingiberene is an organic compound, a monocyclic sesquiterpene that is the predominant constituent of the oil of ginger, at around 30% of its mass. This is the compound that gives ginger its distinct flavoring.
The compound displays two chiral centers, with (-)-zingiberene being the natural-occurring enantiomer.
Contents
Properties
Chemical
Physical
Zingiberene appears to be a colorless oil, immiscible with water, but miscible with organic solvents, like hydrocarbons.
Availability
Zingiberene is found in ginger oil, which in turn is obtained from ginger rhizomes. It comprises around 30% of the oil's mass. It is also found in other plants, like Chaerophyllum azoricum, Helichrysum odoratissimum, Feijoa sellowiana, at lower concentrations.
The pure compound can also be bought from chemical suppliers, albeit it's expensive.
Preparation
Total synthesis of zingiberene is too complicated, and it's cheaper to just extract the compound from ginger oil.
Projects
- Essential oil
- Potential use in medicine
Handling
Safety
Research seems to indicate that not only zingiberene is safe, but it does appear to have some useful medicinal properties, including neuroprotective and anti-tumoral effects, though more research is necessary to confirm this.
Storage
Should be kept in closed airtight bottles, away from light and air.
Disposal
No special disposal is required. Can be incinerated, diluted with water, etc.
References
- ↑ Herout et al.; Collection of Czechoslovak Chemical Communications; vol. 18; (1953); p. 248, 254; Chem.Abstr.; (1953); p. 9944
Sciencemadness library
- The Chemistry of Essential Oils and Artificial Perfumes Volume I, Ernest J. Parry, 1921
- The Chemistry of Essential Oils and Artificial Perfumes Volume II, Ernest J. Parry, 1922
