MOLECULE

1,3,3-Trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ol

Fenchol or 1,3,3-Trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ol, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as bicyclic monoterpenoids. These are monoterpenoids containing exactly 2 rings, which are fused to each other. Fenchol is a naturally occurring bicyclic monoterpenoid and an isomer of Borneol. Monoterpenoids are terpenes that contain 10 carbon atoms and are comprised of two isoprene units. The biosynthesis of monoterpenes is known to occur mainly through the methyl-eritritol-phosphate (MEP) pathway in the plastids. Geranyl diphosphate (GPP) is a key intermediate in the biosynthesis of cyclic monoterpenes. GPP undergoes several cyclation reactions to yield a diverse number of cyclic arrangements. Fenchol is an extremely weak basic (essentially neutral) compound (based on its pKa). It is a colorless or white solid with a characteristic scent found in basil and Aster and cannabis plants (PMID:6991645). Fenchol is used extensively in perfumery.