MOLECULE

3-Methylheneicosane

3-Methylheneicosane is a methylated derivative of heneicosane (CH3-[CH2]19-CH3). Heneicosane belongs to the class of organic compounds known as alkanes. These are acyclic branched or unbranched hydrocarbons having the general formula CnH2n+2, and therefore consisting entirely of hydrogen atoms and saturated carbon atoms. Heneicosane is considered to be a hydrocarbon lipid molecule and, as such, a very hydrophobic molecule, practically insoluble in water and relatively neutral. It is an alkane and waxy tasting compound. Heneicosane is a pheromone used by the queen or king termites from the Reticulitermes flavipes species (PMID: 29555778). Heneicosane also acts as a mosquito attractant, especially for those in the genus Aedes and can be used in mosquito baits (PMID: 19018567). Heneicosane is one of the major components of the safflower flower essential oil (Carthamus tinctorius) (PMID: 23371463). Furthermore, 3-methylheneicosane is one of many hydrocarbons that are known in Cannabis plants (PMID: 6991645).