Pinene

Pinene, the most common terpenoid found in nature, is prevalent in conifers, certain herbs like Sideritis and Salvia, cannabis, and resin from Pistacia terebinthus. It undergoes various chemical reactions, transforming into substances like verbenone and pinene oxide, and is a key component in turpentine, a natural solvent. Pinene has potential as a biofuel and exhibits antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Its presence in cannabis contributes to the plant’s distinct aroma and potential therapeutic effects​

Sources of Pinene

• Alpha-pinene is the most common terpenoid in nature and is found in conifers, Sideritis spp., Salvia spp., cannabis, and Pistacia terebinthus resin.
• Pine nuts, makrut lime fruit peel, and eucalyptus oil also contain pinene.

Reactions Involving Pinene

• Beta-pinene can convert to alpha-pinene with strong bases.
• Pinene undergoes selective oxidation to give verbenone and pinene oxide.
• Hydrogenation of pinene yields pinane, a precursor to pinanehydroperoxide.
• Hydroboration of alpha-pinene produces (diisopinocampheyl)borane and alpine borane, which can reduce aldehydes in processes like the Midland Alpine borane reduction.

Uses of Pinene

• Pinenes, especially alpha-pinene, are key components of turpentine, a natural solvent and fuel.
• Pinene has been explored as a biofuel in spark ignition engines and pinene dimers have heating values comparable to jet fuel JP-10.

Research and Studies on Pinene

• The GESTIS Substance Database contains records of alpha-pinene and beta-pinene.
• Ullmann’s Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry discusses turpentines.
• Various studies explore the microbial synthesis of pinene and its biotransformation.
• Essential oils containing pinene exhibit antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.
• Chemical analyses of pinene-containing plants like Sideritis erythrantha and Salvia rosifolia are conducted.

Exploration of Pinene

• Mann et al. discuss natural products containing pinene.
• Pinene is explored as a high energy density biofuel for spark ignition engine applications.

Pinene Data Sources