Germacradienols in the essential oils of the Myrtaceae

Two germacradienols, 4-β-hydroxygermacra-1(10),5-diene (β-germacrenol) and 6-α-hydroxygermacra-1(10), 4-diene (kunzeaol) were identified in the solvent extracts of members of the family Myrtaceae. Acid solvolysis associated with steam distillation or leaf ageing causes these germacradienols to rearrange to a mixture of (+)-δ-cadinene, α-cadinol, τ-cadinol, α-muurolol, τ-muurolol and associated sesquiterpenoids. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.