Isobornyl acetate is an
organic compound
In chemistry, organic compounds are generally any chemical compounds that contain carbon-hydrogen or carbon-carbon bonds. Due to carbon's ability to catenate (form chains with other carbon atoms), millions of organic compounds are known. T ...
consisting of the
acetate ester
In chemistry, an ester is a compound derived from an oxoacid (organic or inorganic) in which at least one hydroxyl group () is replaced by an alkoxy group (), as in the substitution reaction of a carboxylic acid and an alcohol. Glycerides a ...
or the
terpenoid
The terpenoids, also known as isoprenoids, are a class of naturally occurring organic chemicals derived from the 5-carbon compound isoprene and its derivatives called terpenes, diterpenes, etc. While sometimes used interchangeably with "terpenes" ...
isoborneol
Isoborneol is a bicyclic organic compound and a terpene derivative. The hydroxyl group in this compound is placed in an ''exo'' position. The endo diastereomer is called borneol. Being chiral, isoborneol exists as enantiomers.
Preparation
Isob ...
. It is a colorless liquid with a pleasant pine-like scent, and it is produced on a multi-ton scale for this purpose. The compound is prepared by reaction of
camphene
Camphene is a bicyclic organic compound. It is one of the most pervasive monoterpenes. As for other terpenes, it is insoluble in water, flammable, colorless, and has a pungent smell. It is a minor constituent of many essential oils such as ...
with
acetic acid in the presence of a strongly acidic catalyst such as
sulfuric acid. Hydrolysis of isobornyl acetate gives
isoborneol
Isoborneol is a bicyclic organic compound and a terpene derivative. The hydroxyl group in this compound is placed in an ''exo'' position. The endo diastereomer is called borneol. Being chiral, isoborneol exists as enantiomers.
Preparation
Isob ...
, a precursor to
camphor.
Like many plant exudates, isobornyl acetate appears to have
antifeedant
Antifeedants are organic compounds produced by plants to inhibit attack by insects and grazing animals. These chemical compounds are typically classified as secondary metabolites in that they are not essential for the metabolism of the plant, but i ...
properties.
References
{{organic-chem-stub
Acetate esters
Terpenes and terpenoids