OVERVIEW
Methyl chavicol, chemically known as 1-methoxy-4-prop-2-enylbenzene, estragole, or p-allylanisole, is a special metabolite belonging to the class of phenylpropanoids found in essential oils of medicinal and food plants. It is an isomer of anethole, differing with respect to the location of the double bond. It is a colourless liquid which turns yellow if impure. Estragole is the primary constituent of essential oil of tarragon (comprising 60–75%), basil, pine oil, turpentine, fennel, anise (2%), Clausena anisata and Syzygium anisatum.
The French or sweet basil has a high linalool and lower methyl chavicol content with the exotic basil having the highest methyl chavicol content. It is for this reason that the sweet is often preferred for aromatherapy. Principal chemical components found in essential oils of basil include methyl chavicol (22–88%), methyl eugenol (0.3–6%), linalool (1.1–46%), limonene (2.0–4.9%), cis-ocimene (0.2–2.6%) and citronellol (0.6–3.9%).
Estragole is used in perfumes and as a food additive for flavor. Upon treatment with potassium hydroxide, estragole converts toanethole. Its natural scent is oily and sharp, similar to the smell of anise and tarragon.
APPEARANCE
Colourless to light yellow liquid
ODOUR
Anisic-type, spicy, green
IUPAC NAME
1-methoxy-4-prop-2-enylbenzene
CAS NUMBER
140-67-0
FEMA NUMBER
2411
EINECS NUMBER
205-427-8
PRODUCT CODE
AFA002018
SYNONYM
Estragole, 4-allylanisole
SHELF LIFE
12 months
LOGP
3.15
FLASHPOINT
81°C
SPECIFIC GRAVITY
0.960-0.968 @ 25°C
REFRACTIVE INDEX
1.519-1.524 @ 20°C
MOLECULAR WEIGHT
148.2 g/mol
PURITY (GLC)
95% Minimum
BOILING POINT
216°C
QUALITY
100% Pure and Natural
SOLUBILITY
Soluble in alcohol, insoluble in water