Thujone
Thujone (/ˈθuːdʒoʊn/ ⓘ) is a ketone and a monoterpene that occurs predominantly in two diastereomeric (epimeric) forms: (−)-α-thujone and (+)-β-thujone.
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Ball-and-stick model of (−)-α-thujone | |||
Names | |||
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IUPAC names
α: (1S,4R,5R)-4-Methyl-1-(propan-2-yl)bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-3-one β: (1S,4S,5R)-4-methyl-1-propan-2-ylbicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-3-one | |||
Other names
Bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-3-one, 4-methyl-1-(1-methylethyl)-, [1S-(1α,4α,5α)]- α-Thujone β-Thujone Thujone, cis 3-Thujanone, (1S,4R,5R)-(-)- Thujon 3-Thujanone, (-)- l-Thujone; 4-Methyl-1-(1-methylethyl)bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-3-one-, (1S,4R,5R)- 3-Thujone; cis-Thujone (Z)-Thujone (-)-Thujone; Bicyclo(3.1.0)hexan-3-one, 4-methyl-1-(1-methylethyl)-, (1S,4R,5R)- NSC 93742 1-isopropyl-4-methylbicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-3-one | |||
Identifiers | |||
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3D model (JSmol) |
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4660369 | |||
ChEBI | |||
ChEMBL | |||
ChemSpider | |||
ECHA InfoCard | 100.013.096 | ||
EC Number |
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KEGG | |||
PubChem CID |
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UNII |
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CompTox Dashboard (EPA) |
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Properties | |||
C10H16O | |||
Molar mass | 152.237 g·mol−1 | ||
Density | 0.92 g/cm3 (β-thujone); 0.9116 g/cm3 (α-thujone) | ||
Melting point | <25 °C | ||
Boiling point | 203 °C (397 °F; 476 K) (alpha,beta-thujone) | ||
407 mg/L | |||
Hazards | |||
GHS labelling: | |||
Warning | |||
H302 | |||
P264, P270, P301+P312, P330, P501 | |||
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references |
Though it is best known as a chemical compound in the spirit absinthe, it is unlikely to be responsible for absinthe's alleged stimulant and psychoactive effects due to the small quantities present. Thujone acts on the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) as an antagonist (opposite to the effects of alcohol, which is an agonist of GABA). As a competitive antagonist of GABA, thujone alone is considered to be convulsant, though by interfering with the inhibitory transmitter GABA, it may convey stimulating, mood-elevating effects at low doses. It is also found in perfumery as a component of several essential oils.
In addition to the naturally occurring (−)-α-thujone and (+)-β-thujone, two other forms are possible: (+)-α-thujone and (−)-β-thujone. In 2016, they were found in nature as well, in Salvia officinalis.
- (−)-α-thujone
- (+)-α-thujone
- (+)-β-thujone
- (−)-β-thujone