| Abstract | Analysis of the volatile leaf oil of the Alaska (yellow) cedar showed (−)-α-pinene, (+)-3-carene, and (+)-limonene to be the main constituents. In addition, nine monoterpene hydrocarbons, seven oxygenated monoterpenes, six sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, nerolidol, cedrol, bisabolol, α-cadinol, nine diterpene hydrocarbons (including one new one), manoyl-, 13- and 8-epimanoyl- and 8,13-diepimanoyl oxides, phyllocladol, six n-alkanes, three alkanals and nine Cā
-branched chain or aromatic esters of isovaleric, 3-methyl-2-, and 3-methyl-3-butenoic acids were identified. The structures of the esters were confirmed by synthesis. Many of the sesquiterpene and diterpene hydrocarbons, cedrol and phyllocladol are typical constitutuents of the order Cupressales, but the new oxides and esters, the n-alkanes, alkanals, and possibly 1-methyl-4-isopropenyl- and 1-methyl-(α-hydroxyisopropyl)-benzene appear to be characteristic of this cedar species. The quantitative composition of the leaf oil from different trees varied little when the leaves were collected in winter, although some variation from one population to another may exist. Large losses of the low boiling components may ensue if the foliage is transported in an unsealed container. |
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