Cembrene A, or sometimes neocembrene, is a natural monocyclic

diterpene Diterpenes are a class of chemical compounds composed of four isoprene units, often with the molecular formula C20H32. They are biosynthesized by plants, animals and fungi via the HMG-CoA reductase pathway, with geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate being ...

isolated from corals of the genus ''

Nephthea ''Litophyton'' is a genus of soft corals in the family Nephtheidae. Species The World Register of Marine Species includes the following species in the genus: *'' Litophyton acuticonicum'' (Verseveldt, 1974) *'' Litophyton amentaceum'' (Studer, ...

''. It is a colorless oil with a faint wax-like odor. Cembrene A itself has little importance as a chemical entity, being a trail

pheromone A pheromone () is a secreted or excreted chemical factor that triggers a social response in members of the same species. Pheromones are chemicals capable of acting like hormones outside the body of the secreting individual, to affect the behavio ...

for termites; however, the chemical structure of cembrene is central to a very wide variety of other natural products found both in plants and in animals.''Terpenes: Flavors, Fragrances, Pharmaca, Pheromones'', Eberhard Breitmaier, page 7. Cembrenes are biosynthesized by

macrocyclization Macrocycles are often described as molecules and ions containing a ring of twelve or more atoms. Classical examples include the crown ethers, calixarenes, porphyrins, and cyclodextrins. Macrocycles describe a large, mature area of chemistry. ...

geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate Geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate is an intermediate in the biosynthesis of diterpenes and diterpenoids. It is also the precursor to carotenoids, gibberellins, tocopherols, and chlorophylls. It is also a precursor to geranylgeranylated proteins, whi ...

References

{{reflist Diterpenes Alkene derivatives Insect ecology Insect pheromones Cycloalkenes