α-Terpineol
Identity
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Preferred name | α-Terpineol |
| IUPAC name | 2-(4-methylcyclohex-3-en-1-yl)propan-2-ol |
| CAS number | 98-55-5 |
| PubChem CID | 17100 [^4] |
| Chemical family | Monocyclic Monoterpene Alcohol |
| Molecular formula | C10H18O |
| Molecular mass | 154.25 g/mol |
| Stereochemistry | One chiral center; the natural (−)-enantiomer is (S)-α-terpineol. Commercial material is usually the racemic (±) form [^1] |
Aroma and sensory character
Lilac, floral, pine-like, and slightly citrus character; one of the principal aroma constituents of pine smoke.
Occurrence outside cannabis
- Pine (Pinus species) and pine-needle oils
- Lilac (Syringa species)
- Tea (Camellia sinensis)
- Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)
Physical properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Standard boiling point | ≈218 °C (NIST: 490.7 K, 491.15 K, 491.0 K across three determinations) [^1] |
| Reference pressure | 101.325 kPa |
| Data source | NIST Chemistry WebBook (SRD 69), CAS 98-55-5, phase change data [^1] |
Thermal-extraction context
α-Terpineol is a relatively low-volatility monoterpene alcohol; its vapor-pressure-driven evaporation from botanical matrix begins well below the reported atmospheric boiling point.
Reported biological activity
Human evidence
No verified controlled human study of inhaled isolated α-terpineol was identified for this archive; claims of calming or sedative effects upon inhalation remain unresolved [^2].
Animal or laboratory evidence
In vitro screens report modulation of CB1/CB2 signaling at micromolar concentrations (using a terpineol isomer mixture), inhibition of NF-κB signaling in tumor cell lines, and antimicrobial activity. These concentrations are far above plausible cannabis-inhalation exposure 1.
Traditional or anecdotal claims
Historically used in aromatherapy and traditional herbal steam preparations.
Cannabis laboratory results
Measured at 0.034–0.08 mg/g dry weight across three University of Mississippi chemovars (GC-FID) and at 0.1–0.9 mg/g across California dispensary cultivars (GC-FID) — a minor constituent 2. α-Terpineol can also form from oxidation of other monoterpenes during storage and processing. Consult Lab Results for batch-level measurements.
Sources
Related pages
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No publicly reachable primary source is currently cited for the remaining details in this footnote. The details remain approximate or unverified and are not treated as verified archive facts. ↩
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Ibrahim EA, et al. Quantitative Determination of Cannabis Terpenes Using Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2023;8(5):899–910. doi:10.1089/can.2022.0188. PMID 36322895; Fischedick JT. Identification of Terpenoid Chemotypes Among High (−)-trans-Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol-Producing Cannabis sativa L. Cultivars. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2017;2(1):34–47. PMID 28861503. ↩
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