MOLECULE

(-)-Isoborneol

(-)-Isoborneol, also known as borneol, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as bicyclic monoterpenoids. These are monoterpenoids containing exactly 2 rings, which are fused to each other. 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 (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. Borneol can be synthesized by reducing camphor by the Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley reaction, a reversible, inexpensive process. The isomer isoborneol can be produced in the kinetically controlled reduction of camphor with sodium borohydride, which is fast and irreversible. (-)-Isoborneol is neutral compound, a white crystalline solid with a balsamic camphoreous herbal woody odor and camphoreous minty herbal earthy woody flavor ( http://www.thegoodscentscompany.com/data/rw1002092.html#toorgano). Borneol or isoborneol is a naturally occurring organic compound found in the essential oil of many plants such as camphorweed, mugwort, beautyberry, Ngai camphor, aromatic ginger and in cannabis plants (PMID:6991645).