Thujopsene is a natural chemical compound, classified as a

sesquiterpene Sesquiterpenes are a class of terpenes that consist of three isoprene units and often have the molecular formula C15H24. Like monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes may be cyclic or contain rings, including many unique combinations. Biochemical modifica ...

, with the molecular formula C₁₅H₂₄. Thujopsene is found in the essential oil of a variety of

conifer Conifers are a group of cone-bearing seed plants, a subset of gymnosperms. Scientifically, they make up the division Pinophyta (), also known as Coniferophyta () or Coniferae. The division contains a single extant class, Pinopsida. All ex ...

s, in particular ''

Juniperus cedrus ''Juniperus cedrus'', the Canary Islands juniper, is a species of juniper, native to the western Canary Islands The Canary Islands (; es, Canarias, ), also known informally as the Canaries, are a Spanish autonomous community and archipe ...

'' and '' Thujopsis dolabrata'' in which it comprises around 2.2% of the weight of the heartwood.

Biosynthesis

Thujopsene is biosynthesized from

farnesyl pyrophosphate Farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP), also known as farnesyl diphosphate (FDP), is an intermediate in the biosynthesis of terpenes and terpenoids such as sterols and carotenoids. It is also used in the synthesis of CoQ (part of the electron transport ch ...

(FPP):

References

{{reflist Hydrocarbons Sesquiterpenes Cyclopropanes Tricyclic compounds