Preparation method and Uses of Methyl eugenol

Methyl eugenol (allylveratrol) is a natural chemical compound classified as a phenylpropene, a type of phenylpropanoid. It is the methyl ether of eugenol and is important to insect behavior and pollination.It is found in various essential oils.

Occurrence

Methyl eugenol is found in a number of plants (over 450 species from 80 families including both angiosperm and gymnosperm families) and has a role in attracting pollinators. About 350 plant species have them as a component of floral fragrance. Their ability to attract insects, particularly Bactrocera fruit flies (particularly, Bactrocera dorsalis male flies) was first noticed in 1915 by F. M. Howlett. The compound may have evolved in response to pathogens, as methyl eugenol has some antifungal activity. It also repels many insects.

Uses

Synthetic Methyl eugenol has been used extensively: 

a) as a flavoring agent in many types of processed food, soft drinks, and sauces; 

b) in perfumery; and c) as an essential oil in aromatherapy. 

From an entomological perspective, synthetic ME has been successfully used in: 

a) fruit fly surveys ( Tan and Lee 1982 ) and quarantine detection (see reviews by Metcalf and Metcalf 1992 ; Vargas et al. 2010 ); 

b) estimation of native fruit fly populations ( Steiner 1969 ; Newell and Haramoto 1968 ) and survival rates in natural ecosystems ( Tan 1985 ; Tan and Jaal 1986 ); 

c) determining the relationship between fruit phenology and native fruit fly population dynamics ( Tan and Serit 1994 ); 

d) monitoring movement of native fruit flies between different ecosystems ( Tan and Serit 1988 ).

Preparation method

The preparation method of an eugenol methyl ether, is characterized in that, comprises the following steps:

A. appropriate sodium hydroxide solution is added in reactor, under the condition stirred, drip appropriate Eugenol;

B. keep stirring, temperature of reaction is controlled at 20～30 ℃, slowly drips excessive methyl-sulfate;

C. after dripping off, after continuing stirring reaction 1h, rising temperature to 40 ℃～50 ℃ of reaction 1h decompose methyl-sulfates;

D. separatory, the organic phase underpressure distillation namely obtains product.

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