P-MENTHANE

Chemical Properties

colourless liquid

Definition

ChEBI: P-menthane is a terpenoid fundamental parent and a monoterpene.
P-menthane serves mainly as an intermediate in manufacturing various perfume and flavor materials.

Synthesis Reference(s)

Tetrahedron Letters, 28, p. 2507, 1987 DOI: 10.1016/S0040-4039(00)95453-4

General Description

Clear liquid.

Air & Water Reactions

Flammable. Insoluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

Saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as P-MENTHANE, may be incompatible with strong oxidizing agents like nitric acid. Charring of the hydrocarbon may occur followed by ignition of unreacted hydrocarbon and other nearby combustibles. In other settings, aliphatic saturated hydrocarbons are mostly unreactive. They are not affected by aqueous solutions of acids, alkalis, most oxidizing agents, and most reducing agents. When heated sufficiently or when ignited in the presence of air, oxygen or strong oxidizing agents, they burn exothermically to produce carbon dioxide and water.

Fire Hazard

Flash point data for P-MENTHANE are not available, however P-MENTHANE is probably combustible.

Flammability and Explosibility

Flammable

Synthesis

p-Menthane is obtained as a cis/trans mixture by the catalytic hydrogenation of limonene, terpinols, and p-cymene. Raney nickel, platinum, or copper and aluminum oxides are used as catalyst.