Description
Isoeugenyl methyl ether has a delicate, clove-carnation odor and
a burning bitter taste. May be prepared by methylation of isoeugenol with methyl sulfate in alkaline solution.
Chemical Properties
light yellow liquid
Chemical Properties
Isoeugenol Methyl Ether occurs
in small quantities in several essential oils. It is a colorless to pale yellow liquid
with a mild clove odor.
Occurrence
The natural and the commercial products are a mixture of cis- and trans-isomers; originally isolated in the oil
roots of Asarum arifolium Michx.; in the oil of Cymbopogon javanensis, Orthodon methylisoeugenoliferum F. (approx. 53%) and
others. Reported found in orange peel oil, ginger, calamus, dried bonito and mastic gum leaf and fruit oil.
Uses
Perfumery, flavoring agent.
Uses
Methyl isoeugenol can be used as a natural food flavor in food industries.
Definition
ChEBI: Isomethyleugenol is a phenylpropanoid, an olefinic compound and a dimethoxybenzene.
Preparation
By methylation of isoeugenol with methyl sulfate in alkaline solution
Toxicity evaluation
The acute oral LD
50 in rats was reported as 1.5 g/kg (Jenner, Hagan, Taylor, Cook & Fitzhugh, 1964) and as 2.5 g/kg (2.03-3.08 g/kg) (Keating, 1972). The ip LD
50 in mice was reported as 0.5 g/kg for the eis- isomer and as 0.35 g/kg for the trans- isomer (Caujolle & Meynier, 1960). The acute dermal LD
50 in rabbits exceeded 5 g/kg (Keating, 1972)
General Description
Methyl isoeugenol is one of the main components found in the essential oil extracted from
Acorus calamus, bark of
Croton malambo and rhizomes of
Zingiber zerumbet,
Hedychium coronarium and
Etlingera cevuga.
