Abstract
The leaves of thyme (Thymus vulgans L.) were found to contain new compounds, 4'-hydroxy5, 5'-diisopropyl-2, 2'-dimethylbiphenyl-3, 4-dione (1), 5, 5'-diisopropyl-2, 2'-dimethylbiphenyl-3, 4, 3', 4'tetraone (2), and 4, 4'-dihydroxy-5, 5'-disopropyl-2, 2'-dimethylbiphenyl-3, 6-dione (3a). These structures were determined by chemical and spectroscopic methods. The deodorant activity of compound 1 against methyl mercaptan was more effective than that of rosmanol, carnosol and sodium copper chlorophylline.