Thujopsene is a natural chemical compound, classified as a

sesquiterpene Sesquiterpenes are a class of terpenes that consist of three isoprene units and often have the molecular formula C15H24. Like monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes may be cyclic or contain rings, including many combinations. Biochemical modifications s ...

, with the molecular formula C₁₅H₂₄. Thujopsene is found in the

essential oil An essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile (easily evaporated at normal temperatures) chemical compounds from plants. Essential oils are also known as volatile oils, ethereal oils, aetheroleum, or simply as the ...

of a variety of

conifer Conifers () are a group of conifer cone, cone-bearing Spermatophyte, seed plants, a subset of gymnosperms. Scientifically, they make up the phylum, division Pinophyta (), also known as Coniferophyta () or Coniferae. The division contains a sin ...

s, in particular '' Juniperus cedrus'' and '' Thujopsis dolabrata'' in which it comprises around 2.2% of the weight of the heartwood.

Biosynthesis

Thujopsene is biosynthesized from

farnesyl pyrophosphate Farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP), also known as farnesyl diphosphate (FDP), is the precursor to all sesquiterpenes, which comprises thousands of compounds. These include all sesquiterpenes as well as sterols and carotenoids. It is also used in the syn ...

(FPP): :

References

{{reflist Hydrocarbons Sesquiterpenes Cyclopropanes Tricyclic compounds