Cembratrienol

Cembratrienol
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
(2E,4S,7E,11E)-1,7,11-Trimethyl-4-(propan-2-yl)cyclotetradeca-2,7,11-trien-1-ol
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
  • Interactive image
PubChem CID
  • 122706255
InChI
  • InChI=1S/C20H34O/c1-16(2)19-12-11-18(4)9-6-8-17(3)10-7-14-20(5,21)15-13-19/h9-10,13,15-16,19,21H,6-8,11-12,14H2,1-5H3/b15-13+,17-10+,18-9+/t19-,20?/m1/s1
    Key: YAPXSYXFLHDPCK-TWZJLWADSA-N
  • C/C/1=C\CCC(/C=C/[C@@H](CC/C(=C/CC1)/C)C(C)C)(C)O
Properties
Chemical formula
 C20H34O
Molar mass 290.491 g·mol−1
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references
Chemical compound

Cembratrienol (CBTol) is a tertiary alcohol produced in the leaves of tobacco plants. It acts as an insect repellent.[1][2]

History

In 2018 researchers isolated the sections of the tobacco genome that produce CBTol molecules. They incorporated those genes into Escherichia coli bacteria. When fed wheat bran, those bacteria produced CBTol. The chemical was extracted via centrifugal separation chromatography[2] and incorporated into a biodegradable, non-toxic and environmentally-friendly repellent that can be sprayed directly onto crops. In laboratory tests, aphids avoided treated crops. One side benefit was that it kills multiple types of gram-positive bacteria that are harmful to humans.[1]

See also

  • Crop protection
  • Insecticide
  • Pesticide

References

  1. ^ a b Coxworth, Ben (June 7, 2018). "A tobacco-derived insect repellent – for crops". newatlas.com. Retrieved 2018-06-09.
  2. ^ a b "Biodegradable crop protection products without risks or side effects". June 7, 2018. Retrieved 2018-06-09.
  • Guo, Zhenhua; Wagner, George J. (September 1995). "Biosynthesis of cembratrienols in cell-free extracts from trichomes of Nicotiana tabacum". Plant Science. 110 (1): 1–10. doi:10.1016/0168-9452(95)04174-s. ISSN 0168-9452.
  • "Organic insect deterrent for agriculture: Biodegradable crop protection products without risks or side effects". ScienceDaily. June 6, 2018. Retrieved 2018-06-09.