Studies on the Essential Oil of Mentha rotundifolia

Part II. Structure of Rotundifolone, a New Terpenic Ketone

Abstract

Rotundifolone C₁₀H₁₄0₂, the principal component of the essential oil obtained from Japanese Mentha rotundifolia, has been found to be 1-methyl-4-isopropylidene-1, 2-epoxy-cyclohexanone-3, which was reduced and rearranged to diosphenol. It is a noteworthy fact that the new ketone seems to be one of the intermediates between carvone series and menthone series.