"Carene" redirects here. For the town of ancient Mysia, see Carene (Mysia).

3-Carene is a bicyclic monoterpene consisting of fused cyclohexene and cyclopropane rings. It occurs as a constituent of turpentine,[2] with a content as high as 42% depending on the source. Carene has a sweet and pungent odor,[3] best described as a combination of fir needles, musky earth, and damp woodlands.[4]

A colorless liquid, it is not soluble in water, but miscible with fats and oils.[3] It is chiral, occurring naturally both as the racemate and enantio-enriched forms.

Reactions and uses

Treatment with peracetic acid gives 3,4-caranediol. Pyrolysis over ferric oxide induces rearrangement, giving p-cymene. Carene is used in the perfume industry and as a chemical intermediate.[2]

Because carene can be found in cannabis naturally, it can also be found in cannabis distillates. Greater concentrations of carene in a distillate give it an earthier taste and smell.[5] 3-Carene is also present in mango, giving the fruit a characteristic pine-like flavor and aroma.

References

  1. ^ a b Record in the GESTIS Substance Database of the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
  2. ^ a b M. Eggersdorfer (2005). "Terpenes". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. doi:10.1002/14356007.a26_205. ISBN 978-3527306732.
  3. ^ a b Merck Index (12th ed.). 1996. p. 300. 1885.
  4. ^ Mediavilla, Vito, Simon Steinemann, Essential oil of Cannabis sativa L. strains. Journal of the International Hemp Association, 1997, 4(2):80-82.
  5. ^ "What is Delta 3 Carene?". ionizationlabs.com. Ionization Labs. Retrieved 6 August 2020.