What does monoterpene mean?
A monoterpene is a chemical compound in the terpene family whose structure contains ten carbon atoms, normally corresponding to two linked isoprene units. Monoterpenes occur naturally in plants, fungi, and other organisms and are responsible for many distinctive aromas, including those of citrus fruits, conifers, herbs, and spices. Familiar examples include limonene, pinene, and myrcene. Chemically, monoterpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons, though the term covers both open-chain and cyclic molecular structures. They are especially abundant in essential oils and are studied in fields ranging from plant ecology and flavor science to pharmaceuticals and industrial biotechnology. Although “monoterpene” may once have been used more narrowly for acyclic compounds, modern usage generally includes cyclic monoterpenes as well.
nounA terpene with a molecular structure containing ten carbon atoms, typically derived from two isoprene units. Monoterpenes include both acyclic hydrocarbons and cyclic compounds such as limonene and pinene.
- Any terpene whose molecular structure contains ten carbon atoms, including acyclic monoterpenes and cyclic monoterpenes.
"Limonene is a major monoterpene found in citrus oils and pine-derived essential oils."
"The researchers measured the concentrations of several monoterpenes in the essential oil."
"Limonene and pinene are among the most familiar monoterpenes."
The standard plural adds -s and is used when referring to several compounds in this chemical class.
"Several monoterpenes contribute to the aroma of the plant."
Two isoprene units make ten carbons: monoterpenes are the molecular building blocks behind many distinctive plant smells.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does monoterpene come from?
The name combines the combining form mono-, meaning “one” or “single,” with terpene. The term monoterpene reflects the traditional division of terpenes by the number of carbon atoms in their basic framework: monoterpenes contain ten, sesquiterpenes fifteen, and diterpenes twenty. The word terpene was coined in the nineteenth century and is associated with the plant resin turpentine.
Related word forms
How monoterpene is actually used
The term is principally used in chemistry, pharmacology, botany, and food science. It is broader than the older designation "acyclic monoterpene," because it also includes cyclic monoterpenes.
Easily confused with monoterpene
A monoterpene is an unsaturated hydrocarbon, whereas a monoterpenoid is an oxygen-containing compound derived from the terpene framework.