MOLECULE

lsoeugenol

Isoeugenol is an isomer of eugenol, wherein the double bond on the alkyl chain is shifted by one carbon. It also known as propenylgualacol, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as methoxyphenols. Methoxyphenols are compounds containing a methoxy group attached to the benzene ring of a phenol moiety. Isoeugenol is also classified as a phenylpropene, a propenyl-substituted guaiacol. Isoeugenol may occur as either the cis (Z) or trans (E) isomer. Trans (E) isoeugenol is crystalline while cis (Z) isoeugenol is a pale, yellow liquid. Isoeugenol is very slightly soluble in water and soluble in organic solvents. It has a spicy, sweet, carnation-like odour and tastes of sweet spice and clove. Isoeugenol is a widely used food flavoring agent and a perfuming agent. As a food flavoring agent, it is responsible for the flavor of nutmeg (in pumpkin pies), As a fragrance, it is extensively used as a scent agent in consumer products such as soaps, shampoos, perfumes, detergents and bath tissues (often labeled as “Fragrance” rather than isoeugenol). However, some individuals can develop allergies to isoeugenol as it appears to be a strong contact allergen (PMID: 10554062). Isoeugenol can be prepared from eugenol by heating. In addition to its industrial production via eugenol, isoeugenol can also be extracted from certain essential oils especially from clove oil and cinnamon. It is found naturally in a wide number of foods, spices and plants including allspice, basil, blueberries, cinnamon, cloves, coffee, dill, ginber, nutmeg, thyme and turmeric. Isoeugenol is also a component of wood smoke and liquid smoke. It is one of several phenolic compounds responsible for the mold-inhibiting effect of smoke on meats and cheeses. Isoeugenol (specifically the acetate ester) has also been used in the production of vanillin. Isoeugenol is one of several non-cannabinoid phenols found in cannabis plants (PMID: 6991645).