T. Kaufman
Jun 1, 2015
Citations
1
Influential Citations
63
Citations
Quality indicators
Journal
Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society
Abstract
Phenylpropenes are produced by plants as part of their defense strategy against microorganisms and animals, and also as floral attractants of pollinators. Eugenol, the main component of clove’s essential oil, is an inexpensive and easily available phenylpropene that has been known by humankind since antiquity, and used as a medicinal agent, but also for food flavoring and preservation. The review includes the most relevant results obtained during the last 15 years with regard to the synthetic uses of eugenol. Discussed here are the multiple applications of eugenol in organic synthesis, including its use as starting material or building block for the total synthesis of natural products, their analogs and derivatives, as well as other structurally interesting or bioactive compounds. The preparation technologically relevant macrocycles and polymeric derivatives of eugenol, is included, and the impact of biotechnology on the use of eugenol as feedstock for biotransformations, leading to other valuable small molecules is also addressed.