Guaiazulene
Encyclopedia
Guaiazulene, also azulon or 1,4-dimethyl-7-isopropylazulene, is a dark blue crystalline hydrocarbon
. A derivative of azulene
, guaiazulene is a bicyclic sesquiterpene that is a constituent of some essential oil
s, mainly oil of guaiac
and chamomile
oil, which also serve as its commercial sources. Various soft corals also contain guaiazulene as a principal pigment. Its low melting point makes guaiazulene difficult to handle, in contrast to the crystalline nature of the parent azulene. The electronic structure (and colors) of guaiazulene and azulene are very similar.
-approved cosmetic color additive. It - or its 3-sulfonate - is a component of some skin care products together with other skin soothing compounds such as allantoin
.
Guaiazulene has applications as an anti-ulcer
drug, and can be also used as a volatile dye with a known evaporation rate to indicate end of use of various products (such as insecticide strips)
Hydrocarbon
In organic chemistry, a hydrocarbon is an organic compound consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon. Hydrocarbons from which one hydrogen atom has been removed are functional groups, called hydrocarbyls....
. A derivative of azulene
Azulene
Azulene is an organic compound and an isomer of naphthalene. Whereas naphthalene is colourless, azulene is dark blue. Its name is derived from the Spanish word azul, meaning "blue"...
, guaiazulene is a bicyclic sesquiterpene that is a constituent of some essential oil
Essential oil
An essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aroma compounds from plants. Essential oils are also known as volatile oils, ethereal oils or aetherolea, or simply as the "oil of" the plant from which they were extracted, such as oil of clove...
s, mainly oil of guaiac
Oil of guaiac
Oil of guaiac is a fragrance used in soap. It comes from the palo santo tree .Oil of guaiac is produced through steam distillation of a mixture of wood and sawdust from palo santo. It is sometimes incorrectly called guaiac wood concrete. It is a yellow to greenish yellow semi-solid mass which...
and chamomile
German Chamomile
Matricaria chamomilla or German chamomile, also spelled camomile, is an annual plant of the composite family Asteraceae. Synonyms are: Chamomilla chamomilla, Chamomilla recutita , Matricaria recutita, and Matricaria suaveolens.-Distribution:It usually grows near populated areas all over Europe and...
oil, which also serve as its commercial sources. Various soft corals also contain guaiazulene as a principal pigment. Its low melting point makes guaiazulene difficult to handle, in contrast to the crystalline nature of the parent azulene. The electronic structure (and colors) of guaiazulene and azulene are very similar.
Applications
Guaiazulene is an U.S. FDAFood and Drug Administration
The Food and Drug Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, one of the United States federal executive departments...
-approved cosmetic color additive. It - or its 3-sulfonate - is a component of some skin care products together with other skin soothing compounds such as allantoin
Allantoin
Allantoin is a chemical compound with formula C4H6N4O3. It is also called 5-ureidohydantoin or glyoxyldiureide. It is a diureide of glyoxylic acid....
.
Guaiazulene has applications as an anti-ulcer
Peptic ulcer
A peptic ulcer, also known as PUD or peptic ulcer disease, is the most common ulcer of an area of the gastrointestinal tract that is usually acidic and thus extremely painful. It is defined as mucosal erosions equal to or greater than 0.5 cm...
drug, and can be also used as a volatile dye with a known evaporation rate to indicate end of use of various products (such as insecticide strips)