Piperitone is a natural
monoterpene ketone which is a component of some
essential oils. Both
stereoisomer
In stereochemistry, stereoisomerism, or spatial isomerism, is a form of isomerism in which molecules have the same molecular formula and sequence of bonded atoms (constitution), but differ in the three-dimensional orientations of their atoms in ...
s, the
D-form and the
L-form, are known. The
D-form has a
peppermint-like aroma and has been isolated from the oils of plants from the genera ''
Cymbopogon'', ''
Andropogon'', and ''
Mentha
''Mentha'' (also known as mint, from Greek , Linear B ''mi-ta'') is a genus of plants in the family Lamiaceae (mint family). The exact distinction between species is unclear; it is estimated that 13 to 24 species exist. Hybridization occurs nat ...
''.
The
L-form has been isolated from
Sitka spruce.
Piperitone is used as the principal raw material for the production of
synthetic menthol and
thymol. The primary source of
D/
L-piperitone is from ''
Eucalyptus dives
''Eucalyptus dives'', commonly known as the broad-leaved peppermint or blue peppermint, is a species of tree that is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has rough, finely fibrous bark on the trunk and larger branches, smooth bark above, lance- ...
'', produced mainly in
South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the Atlantic Ocean, South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the ...
.
[Boland, D.J., Brophy, J.J., and A.P.N. House, ''Eucalyptus Leaf Oils'', 1991, {{ISBN, 0-909605-69-6]
References
Ketones
Monoterpenes
Cyclohexenes