Nitropentadecene, or more precisely (''E'')-1-nitropentadec-1-ene, is a highly toxic unsaturated
nitroalkene A nitroalkene, or nitro olefin, is a functional group combining the functionality of its constituent parts, an alkene and nitro group, while displaying its own chemical properties through polar effect, alkene activation, making the functional group ...
, the only
aliphatic
In organic chemistry, hydrocarbons ( compounds composed solely of carbon and hydrogen) are divided into two classes: aromatic compounds and aliphatic compounds (; G. ''aleiphar'', fat, oil). Aliphatic compounds can be saturated (in which all ...
nitro compound
In organic chemistry, nitro compounds are organic compounds that contain one or more nitro functional groups (). The nitro group is one of the most common explosophores (functional group that makes a compound explosive) used globally. The nit ...
known to be synthesized by insects. It is produced by
termite
Termites are a group of detritivore, detritophagous Eusociality, eusocial cockroaches which consume a variety of Detritus, decaying plant material, generally in the form of wood, Plant litter, leaf litter, and Humus, soil humus. They are dist ...
soldiers of genus ''
Prorhinotermes
''Prorhinotermes'' is a genus of termites belonging to the subfamily Prorhinotermitinae, which is nested in the family Psammotermitidae.
The species of this genus are found in Malesia
Malesia is a biogeographical region straddling the Equa ...
'' (
Isoptera
Termites are a group of detritophagous eusocial cockroaches which consume a variety of decaying plant material, generally in the form of wood, leaf litter, and soil humus. They are distinguished by their moniliform antennae and the soft-bo ...
,
Rhinotermitidae
Rhinotermitidae, sensu novo are a family (biology), family of Neoisoptera, Neoisopteran termites represented by genera formerly held within the now historical subfamily Rhinotermitinae. The soldiers of Rhinotermitidae notably possess a labral bru ...
) as a defensive chemical.
Nitropentadecene is biosynthesized and stored in one of the exocrine glands, a frontal gland, of termite soldiers, and it is released upon attack of enemy.
References
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Nitroalkenes