alpha-Phellandrene is an oily liquid with colorless to light yellow colors. Has black pepper odor character. Flash point is 49°C. The boiling point (by 2133 pa.) of right-handed body at 66~88°C, and the left-handed body at 58~59°C. Soluble in ethanol and ethyl ether, insoluble in water.
The right-handed body is existed in cinnamon oil, ginger oil, elemi oil, cumin oil and other plants. The left-handed body is existed in eucalyptus oil, star anise oil, gump couch oil, laurel oil, pepper oil and other plants.
Phellandrene is the name for a pair of organic compounds that have a similar molecular structure and similar chemical properties. α-Phellandrene and β-phellandrene are cyclic monoterpenes and are double-bond isomers.
In α-phellandrene, both double bonds are endocyclic and in β-phellandrene, one of them is exocyclic. Both are insoluble in water, but miscible with ether.
The phellandrenes are used in fragrances because of their pleasing aromas. The odor of β-phellandrene has been described as peppery-minty and slightly citrusy.It is colorless to light yellow oily liquid with peppermint aroma. Right-handed body exists in cinnamon oil, ginger oil, elemi oil, cumin oil etc. Left-handed body exists in eucalyptus oil, star anise oil, gump couch oil, laurel oil, pepper oil, etc.
α-Phellandrene was named after Eucalyptus phellandra, now called Eucalyptus radiata, from which it can be isolated. It is also a constituent of the essential oil of Eucalyptus dives.