Menthol

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Not to be confused with methanol or methanal.
Menthol
(−)-Menthol
Ball-and-stick model of (−)-menthol
Menthol.jpg
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
5-Methyl-2-(propan-2-yl)cyclohexan-1-ol
Other names
2-Isopropyl-5-methylcyclohexan-1-ol
2-Isopropyl-5-methylcyclohexanol
3-p-Menthanol
Hexahydrothymol
Menthomenthol
Peppermint camphor
Identifiers
2216-51-5 (chiral) N
89-78-1 (racemic) N
3D model (Jmol) Interactive image
Interactive image
ChEBI CHEBI:15409 YesY
ChEMBL ChEMBL470670 YesY
ChemSpider 15803 YesY
DrugBank DB00825 YesY
ECHA InfoCard 100.016.992
2430
RTECS number OT0350000, racemic
UNII BZ1R15MTK7 (chiral) N
YS08XHA860 (racemic) N
Properties
C10H20O
Molar mass 156.27 g·mol−1
Appearance White or colorless crystalline solid
Density 0.890 g·cm−3, solid
(racemic or (−)-isomer)
Melting point 36 to 38 °C (97 to 100 °F; 309 to 311 K) racemic
42–45 °C, (−)-isomer, α crystalline form
Boiling point 212 °C (414 °F; 485 K)
Slightly soluble, (−)-isomer
Hazards
Main hazards Irritant, flammable
Safety data sheet See: data page
External MSDS
R-phrases R37/38, R41
S-phrases S26, S36
Flash point 93 °C (199 °F; 366 K)
Related compounds
Related alcohols
 Cyclohexanol, Pulegol,
Dihydrocarveol, Piperitol
Related compounds
 Menthone, Menthene,
Thymol, p-Cymene,
Citronellal
Supplementary data page
Refractive index (n),
Dielectric constant (εr), etc.
Thermodynamic
data
 Phase behaviour
solid–liquid–gas
UV, IR, NMR, MS
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
N verify (what is YesYN ?)
Infobox references

Menthol is an organic compound made synthetically or obtained from corn mint, peppermint, or other mint oils. It is a waxy, crystalline substance, clear or white in color, which is solid at room temperature and melts slightly above. The main form of menthol occurring in nature is (−)-menthol, which is assigned the (1R,2S,5R) configuration. Menthol has local anesthetic and counterirritant qualities, and it is widely used to relieve minor throat irritation. Menthol also acts as a weak kappa opioid receptor agonist.

Structure[edit]

Natural menthol exists as one pure stereoisomer, nearly always the (1R,2S,5R) form (bottom left corner of the diagram below). The eight possible stereoisomers are:

Structures of menthol isomers

In the natural compound, the isopropyl group is in the trans orientation to both the methyl and hydroxyl groups. Thus, it can be drawn in any of the ways shown:

Menthol chair conformation Ball-and-stick 3D model highlighting menthol's chair conformation

The (+)- and (–)-enantiomers of menthol are the most stable among these based on their cyclohexane conformations. With the ring itself in a chair conformation, all three bulky groups can orient in equatorial positions.

The two crystal forms for racemic menthol have melting points of 28 °C and 38 °C. Pure (−)-menthol has four crystal forms, of which the most stable is the α form, the familiar broad needles.

Biological properties[edit]

A macro photograph of menthol crystals
Menthol crystals at room temperature. Approx. 1 cm in size.

Menthol's ability to chemically trigger the cold-sensitive TRPM8 receptors in the skin is responsible for the well-known cooling sensation it provokes when inhaled, eaten, or applied to the skin.[1] In this sense, it is similar to capsaicin, the chemical responsible for the spiciness of hot chilis (which stimulates heat sensors, also without causing an actual change in temperature).

Menthol's analgesic properties are mediated through a selective activation of κ-opioid receptors.[2] Menthol also blocks voltage-sensitive sodium channels, reducing neural activity that may stimulate muscles.[3] A study showed that topical absorption of ibuprofen is not increased by menthol, but does note the complementary effect of the menthol as a pain reliever itself.[4]

Some studies show that menthol acts as GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulator and increases GABAergic transmission in PAG neurons.[5] Menthol also shares anaesthetic properties similar to propofol, by modulating same sites of GABAA receptor.[6]

Menthol is widely used in dental care as a topical antibacterial agent, effective against several types of streptococci and lactobacilli.[7]

Occurrence[edit]

Mentha arvensis is the primary species of mint used to make natural menthol crystals and natural menthol flakes[citation needed]. This species is primarily grown in the Uttar Pradesh region in India[citation needed].

(−)-Menthol occurs naturally in peppermint oil (along with a little menthone, the ester menthyl acetate and other compounds), obtained from Mentha x piperita.[8] Japanese menthol also contains a small percentage of the 1-epimer, (+)-neomenthol[citation needed].

Biosynthesis[edit]

The biosynthesis of menthol has been investigated in M. x piperita and the enzymes involved in have been identified and characterized.[9] It begins with the synthesis of the terpene limonene, followed by hydroxylation, and then several reduction and isomerization steps.

More specifically, the biosynthesis of (−)-menthol takes place in the secretory gland cells of the peppermint plant. Geranyl diphosphate synthase (GPPS), first catalyzes the reaction of IPP and DMAPP into geranyl diphosphate. Next (−)-limonene synthase (LS) catalyzes the cyclization of geranyl diphosphate to (−)-limonene. (−)-Limonene-3-hydroxylase (L3OH), using O2 and NADPH, then catalyzes the allylic hydroxylation of (−)-limonene at the 3 position to (−)-trans-isopiperitenol. (−)-Trans-isopiperitenol dehydrogenase (iPD) further oxidizes the hydroxy group on the 3 position using NAD+ to make (−)-isopiperitenone. (−)-Isopiperitenone reductase (iPR) then reduces the double bond between carbons 1 and 2 using NADPH to form (+)-cis-isopulegone. (+)-Cis-isopulegone isomerase (iPI) then isomerizes the remaining double bond to form (+)-pulegone. (+)-Pulegone reductase (PR) then reduces this double bond using NADPH to form (−)-menthone. (−)-Menthone reductase (MR) then reduces the carbonyl group using NADPH to form (−)-menthol.[9]

Menthol biosynthesis image

Production[edit]

As with many widely used natural products, the demand for menthol greatly exceeds the supply from natural sources. In the case of menthol it is also interesting to note that comparative analysis of the total life-cycle costs from a sustainability perspective has shown that production from natural sources actually results in consumption of more fossil fuel, produces more carbon dioxide effluent and has more environmental impact than either of the main synthetic production routes.[10]

Menthol is manufactured as a single enantiomer (94% ee) on the scale of 3,000 tons per year by Takasago International Corporation.[11] The process involves an asymmetric synthesis developed by a team led by Ryōji Noyori, who won the 2001 Nobel Prize for Chemistry in recognition of his work on this process:

Myrcene Diethylamine Citronellal Zinc bromideMenthol synthesis.png
About this image

The process begins by forming an allylic amine from myrcene, which undergoes asymmetric isomerisation in the presence of a BINAP rhodium complex to give (after hydrolysis) enantiomerically pure R-citronellal. This is cyclised by a carbonyl-ene-reaction initiated by zinc bromide to isopulegol, which is then hydrogenated to give pure (1R,2S,5R)-menthol.

Another commercial process is the Haarmann-Reimer process.[12][13] This process starts from m-cresol which is alkylated with propene to thymol. This compound is hydrogenated in the next step. Racemic menthol is isolated by fractional distillation. The enantiomers are separated by chiral resolution in reaction with methyl benzoate, selective crystallisation followed by hydrolysis.

synthetic menthol production

Racemic menthol can also be formed by hydrogenation of pulegone. In both cases with further processing (crystallizative entrainment resolution of the menthyl benzoate conglomerate) it is possible to concentrate the L enantiomer, however this tends to be less efficient, although the higher processing costs may be offset by lower raw material costs. A further advantage of this process is that d-menthol becomes inexpensively available for use as a chiral auxiliary, along with the more usual l-antipode.[10]

Applications[edit]

Menthol is included in many products for a variety of reasons. These include:

  • In nonprescription products for short-term relief of minor sore throat and minor mouth or throat irritation.
  • As an antipruritic to reduce itching.
  • As a topical analgesic, it is used to relieve minor aches and pains, such as muscle cramps, sprains, headaches and similar conditions, alone or combined with chemicals such as camphor, eucalyptus oil or capsaicin. In Europe, it tends to appear as a gel or a cream, while in the U.S., patches and body sleeves are very frequently used.
  • In decongestants for chest and sinuses (cream, patch or nose inhaler).
  • In certain medications used to treat sunburns, as it provides a cooling sensation (then often associated with aloe).
  • In aftershave products to relieve razor burn.
  • As a smoking tobacco additive in some cigarette brands, for flavor, and to reduce throat and sinus irritation caused by smoking. Menthol also increases nicotine receptor density,[14] increasing the addictive potential of tobacco products.[15][16]
  • Commonly used in oral hygiene products and bad-breath remedies, such as mouthwash, toothpaste, mouth and tongue-spray, and more generally as a food flavor agent; e.g., in chewing gum, candy.
  • In a soda to be mixed with water it is used to obtain a very low alcohol drink or pure (brand Ricqlès which contains 80% alcohol in France); the alcohol is also used to alleviate nausea, in particular motion sickness, by pouring a few drops on a lump of sugar.
  • As a pesticide against tracheal mites of honey bees.
  • In perfumery, menthol is used to prepare menthyl esters to emphasize floral notes (especially rose).
  • In first aid products such as "mineral ice" to produce a cooling effect as a substitute for real ice in the absence of water or electricity (pouch, body patch/sleeve or cream).
  • In various patches ranging from fever-reducing patches applied to children's foreheads to "foot patches" to relieve numerous ailments (the latter being much more frequent and elaborate in Asia, especially Japan: some varieties use "functional protrusions", or small bumps to massage ones feet as well as soothing them and cooling them down).
  • In some beauty products such as hair conditioners, based on natural ingredients (e.g., St. Ives).
  • As an antispasmodic and smooth muscle relaxant in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.[17]

In organic chemistry, menthol is used as a chiral auxiliary in asymmetric synthesis. For example, sulfinate esters made from sulfinyl chlorides and menthol can be used to make enantiomerically pure sulfoxides by reaction with organolithium reagents or Grignard reagents. Menthol reacts with chiral carboxylic acids to give diastereomic menthyl esters, which are useful for chiral resolution.

Reactions[edit]

Menthol reacts in many ways like a normal secondary alcohol. It is oxidised to menthone by oxidising agents such as chromic acid or dichromate,[18] though under some conditions the oxidation can go further and break open the ring. Menthol is easily dehydrated to give mainly 3-menthene, by the action of 2% sulfuric acid. Phosphorus pentachloride (PCl5) gives menthyl chloride.

Reactions of menthol

History[edit]

There is evidence[19] that menthol has been known in Japan for more than 2000 years, but in the West it was not isolated until 1771, by Hieronymus David Gaubius.[20] Early characterizations were done by Oppenheim,[21] Beckett,[22] Moriya,[23] and Atkinson.[24] It was named by F. L. Alphons Oppenheim (1833–1877) in 1861.[25]

Compendial status[edit]

Toxicology[edit]

Ingesting pure menthol can be poisonous, and overdose is also possible through excess consumption of menthol-containing products.[29] The oral median lethal dose in rats has been estimated at 192 mg/kg; other sources give much higher numbers such as 2900 mg/kg in rats and 5001 mg/kg in rabbits.[30][31]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ R. Eccles (1994). "Menthol and Related Cooling Compounds". J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 46 (8): 618–630. doi:10.1111/j.2042-7158.1994.tb03871.x. PMID 7529306. 
  2. ^ Galeotti, N., Mannellia, L. D. C., Mazzantib, G., Bartolinia, A., Ghelardini, C.; Di Cesare Mannelli; Mazzanti; Bartolini; Ghelardini (2002). "Menthol: a natural analgesic compound". Neuroscience Letters. 322 (3): 145–148. doi:10.1016/S0304-3940(01)02527-7. PMID 11897159. 
  3. ^ G. Haeseler; D. Maue; J. Grosskreutz; J. Bufler; B. Nentwig; S. Piepenbrock; R. Dengler; M. Leuwer. (2002). "Voltage-dependent block of neuronal and skeletal muscle sodium channels by thymol and menthol". European Journal of Anaesthesiology. 19 (8): 571–579. doi:10.1017/S0265021502000923. 
  4. ^ Brain KR, Green DM, Dykes PJ, Marks R, Bola TS; Green; Dykes; Marks; Bola (2006). "The role of menthol in skin penetration from topical formulations of ibuprofen 5% in vivo". Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 19 (1): 17–21. doi:10.1159/000089139. PMID 16247245. 
  5. ^ Lau, Benjamin K.; Karim, Shafinaz; Goodchild, Ann K.; Vaughan, Christopher W.; Drew, Geoffrey M. (2014-06-01). "Menthol enhances phasic and tonic GABAA receptor-mediated currents in midbrain periaqueductal grey neurons". British Journal of Pharmacology. 171 (11): 2803–2813. doi:10.1111/bph.12602. ISSN 1476-5381. PMC 4243856Freely accessible. PMID 24460753. 
  6. ^ Watt, Erin E.; Betts, Brooke A.; Kotey, Francesca O.; Humbert, Danielle J.; Griffith, Theanne N.; Kelly, Elizabeth W.; Veneskey, Kelley C.; Gill, Nikhila; Rowan, Kathleen C. (2008-08-20). "Menthol shares general anesthetic activity and sites of action on the GABA(A) receptor with the intravenous agent, propofol". European Journal of Pharmacology. 590 (1-3): 120–126. doi:10.1016/j.ejphar.2008.06.003. ISSN 0014-2999. PMID 18593637. 
  7. ^ Freires IA, Denny C, Benso B, de Alencar SM, Rosalen PL (22 April 2015). "Antibacterial Activity of Essential Oils and Their Isolated Constituents against Cariogenic Bacteria: A Systematic Review". Molecules. 20 (4): 7329–7358. doi:10.3390/molecules20047329. PMID 25911964. 
  8. ^ PDR for Herbal Medicines (4th ed.). Thomson Healthcare. p. 640. ISBN 978-1-56363-678-3. 
  9. ^ a b Croteau, R. B.; Davis, E.M.; Ringer, K. L; Wildung, M. R. (December 2005). "(−)-Menthol biosynthesis and molecular genetics". Naturwissenschaften. 92 (12): 562–77. Bibcode:2005NW.....92..562C. doi:10.1007/s00114-005-0055-0. PMID 16292524. 
  10. ^ a b Charles Sell (ed.). The Chemistry of Fragrances: From Perfumer to Consumer. ISBN 978-085404-824-3. 
  11. ^ Japan: Takasago to Expand L-Menthol Production in Iwata Plant
  12. ^ After the company Haarmann & Reimer , now part of Symrise
  13. ^ Schäfer, Bernd (2013). "Menthol". Chemie in unserer Zeit. 47 (3): 174–182. doi:10.1002/ciuz.201300599. 
  14. ^ Henderson BJ, Wall TR, Henley BM, Kim CH, Nichols WA, Moaddel R, Xiao C, Lester HA (2016). "Menthol Alone Upregulates Midbrain nAChRs, Alters nAChR Subtype Stoichiometry, Alters Dopamine Neuron Firing Frequency, and Prevents Nicotine Reward". J. Neurosci. 36 (10): 2957–74. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4194-15.2016. PMC 4783498Freely accessible. PMID 26961950. 
  15. ^ Biswas L, Harrison E, Gong Y, Avusula R, Lee J, Zhang M, Rousselle T, Lage J, Liu X (2016). "Enhancing effect of menthol on nicotine self-administration in rats". Psychopharmacology (Berl.). 233: 3417–27. doi:10.1007/s00213-016-4391-x. PMID 27473365. 
  16. ^ Wickham RJ (2015). "How Menthol Alters Tobacco-Smoking Behavior: A Biological Perspective". Yale J Biol Med. 88 (3): 279–87. PMC 4553648Freely accessible. PMID 26339211. 
  17. ^ Hiki, N; Kaminishi, M; Hasunuma, T; Nakamura, M; Nomura, S; Yahagi, N; Tajiri, H; Suzuki, H (2011). "A Phase I Study Evaluating Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Preliminary Efficacy of L-Menthol in Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy". Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 90 (2): 221–228. doi:10.1038/clpt.2011.110. 
  18. ^ L. T. Sandborn. "l-Menthone". Org. Synth. ; Coll. Vol., 1, p. 340 
  19. ^ J. L. Simonsen (1947). The Terpenes, Volume I (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 230–249. 
  20. ^ Adversoriorum varii argumentii, Liber unus, Leiden, 1771, p. 99.
  21. ^ A. Oppenheim (1862). "On the camphor of peppermint". J. Chem. Soc. 15: 24. doi:10.1039/JS8621500024. 
  22. ^ G. H. Beckett & C. R. Alder Wright (1876). "Isomeric terpenes and their derivatives. (Part V)". J. Chem. Soc. 29: 1. doi:10.1039/JS8762900001. 
  23. ^ M. Moriya (1881). "Contributions from the Laboratory of the University of Tôkiô, Japan. No. IV. On menthol or peppermint camphor". J. Chem. Soc., Trans. 39: 77. doi:10.1039/CT8813900077. 
  24. ^ R. W. Atkinson & H. Yoshida (1882). "On peppermint camphor (menthol) and some of its derivatives". J. Chem. Soc., Trans. 41: 49. doi:10.1039/CT8824100049. 
  25. ^ Oppenheim (1861) "Note sur le camphre de menthe" (On the camphor of mint), Comptes rendus … , 53: 379–380. From p. 380: "Les analogies avec le bornéol me permettent de proposer pour ce corps le nom de menthol, … " (Analogies with borneol allow me to propose the name menthol for this substance, … )
  26. ^ Therapeutic Goods Administration (1999). "Approved Terminology for Medicines" (PDF). Retrieved 29 June 2009. 
  27. ^ 日本药局方. "Japanese Pharmacopoeia". Retrieved 29 June 2009. 
  28. ^ Sigma Aldrich. "DL-Menthol". Retrieved 29 June 2009. 
  29. ^ "Menthol overdose: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia". Nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 2014-03-16. 
  30. ^ "Toxicology Module 1st installed Wednesday Nov 15, 2000". Goodhealth.freeservers.com. Retrieved 2014-03-16. 
  31. ^ "Material Safety Data Sheet Menthol, DL MSDS". ScienceLab. Retrieved 2014-03-16. 

Further reading[edit]

  • E. E. Turner, M. M. Harris, Organic Chemistry, Longmans, Green & Co., London, 1952.
  • Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 71st edition, CRC Press, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1990.
  • The Merck Index, 7th edition, Merck & Co, Rahway, New Jersey, 1960.
  • Perfumer & Flavorist, December, 2007, vol. 32, no. 12, pp 38–47.

External links[edit]

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