Reactivity Profile
The unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as MYRCENE, are generally much more reactive than the alkanes. Strong oxidizers may react vigorously with them. Reducing agents can react exothermically to release gaseous hydrogen. In the presence of various catalysts (such as acids) or initiators, compounds in this class can undergo very exothermic addition polymerization reactions. Many of these compounds undergo autoxidation upon exposure to the air to form explosive peroxides. Violent explosions have occurred at low temperatures in ammonia synthesis gas units. These explosions have been traced to the addition products of dienes and oxides of nitrogen, produced from the interaction of nitrogen oxide and oxygen [Bretherick, 1995].
Occurrence
Reported found in Mircia acris D.C.; in the distillates from leaves of Rhus cotinus and Barosma venustum (52
and 43%, respectively); in lemongrass, cypress, artemisia; in the fruits of Phellodendron amurense (92%) and Phellodendron japonicum; in the oils of Picea balsamea, Tsuga canadenis, Abies balsamea, clary sage and others. Also reported in over 200 foods and
beverages including citrus peel oils and juices, apricot, sweet and sour cherry, berries, guava, pineapple, carrot, celery, potato, bell
pepper, black currants, anise, anise seed, cardamom, cinnamon, cassia, clove, capsicum varities, ginger, mentha oils, mace, parsley,
thyme, cheeses, cream, pork, hop oil, beer, white wine, rum, cocoa, coffee, tea, mango, tamarind, coriander, gin, sweet bay, prickly
pear, calamus, dill, lovage, caraway, buckwheat, corn, basil, fennel, kiwifruit, rosemary, myrtle berry, turmeric, lemon balm, sage,
pimento, angelica oil, Roman and German chamomile oil, eucalyptus and mastic gum oil
