MOLECULE

1,4-Diisopropylbenzene

1,4-Bis(1-methylethyl)-benzene or 1,4-Diisopropylbenzene or para-Diisopropylbenzene, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as aromatic monoterpenoids. These are monoterpenoids containing at least one aromatic ring. 1,4-Diisopropylbenzene is formally classified as an aromatic hydrocarbon although it is biochemically a monoterpenoid as it is synthesized via isoprene units. 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 plastids (PMID: 7640522). Geranyl diphosphate (GPP) is a key intermediate in the biosynthesis of cyclic monoterpenes. GPP undergoes several cyclization reactions to yield a diverse number of cyclic arrangements. 1,4-Diisopropylbenzene is commercially produced by transalkylation of a benzene with two equivalents of propylene. 1,4-Diisopropylbenzene is used as an intermediate for the synthesis of stabilizers, polymers, synthetic lubricants and hydroperoxides. 1,4-Diisopropylbenzene has also been identified in Cannabis sativa (PMID: 6991645).