Gurjunene

Gurjunene, also known as (-)-α-gurjunene, is a natural carbotricyclic sesquiterpene that is most commonly found in gurjun balsam, an essential oil compound extracted from plants of the genus Dipterocarpus. The following reaction that synthesizes gurjunene can be catalyzed by alpha-gurjunene synthase:

(2E,6E)-farnesyl diphosphate

$\rightleftharpoons$

(–)-α-gurjunene + diphosphate

Related compounds

Several related compounds are known, including β-gurjunene and γ-gurjunene.