Bornyl acetate

Chemical properties

Bornyl acetate occurs in its optically active forms and as a racemate in many essential oils.
(1S,2R,4S)-(?)-Bornyl acetate is a characteristic component of most conifer oils. It has a camphoraceous, pine-needle-like odor. Both (1R,2S,4R)- (+)-bornyl acetate and (?)-bornyl acetate form colorless crystals; the racemate is a colorless liquid. Bornyl acetate is prepared by esterification of borneol with acetic anhydride or via the process described under borneol.
Due to its characteristic pine-needle odor, bornyl acetate is frequently used in conifer needle compositions, soaps, bath products, room sprays, and pharmaceutical products.

Chemical properties

Bornyl acetate has a fresh, strong, piney odor and a fresh, burning taste.

Occurrence

Reported found in the oils of Abies canadensis, A. concolor, Picea canadensis, P. rubens, P. orientalis, Pinus densiflora, Larix americana, Callitris drum-mondi, Abies alba, Pinus punulio, Abies sibirica L., and in coriander, thyme and valerian oil; it has been identified in the essence from flowers of Chrysanthemum sincuse Sabin, in the distillate of Teucrium chamaedris L., and in the fresh rhizomes of Valeriana officinalis L.; d-bornyl acetate is found in the essential oils of Callitris glauca, C. robusta, C. gracilis, C. verrucosa and C. calcarata; the presence of acetate has been excluded from the essence of lavender and lavandin.

The Uses of Bornyl acetate

Antineoplastic; radioactive agent.

Aroma threshold values

Detection: 75 ppb to 1.38 ppm

Taste threshold values

Taste characteristics at 10 ppm: camphoreous, woody, mentholic, berry and seedy with soapy, woody nuances.

Synthesis

l-Bornyl acetate occurs naturally in many oils distilled from the leaves of plants of the family Pinaceae; d-bornyl acetate is found in the oils distilled from plants of the family Cupressaceae; bornyl acetate, therefore may be isolated by distillation and crystallization from these; however, it is commonly prepared by direct acetylation of borneol; the first synthesis dates to 1889.