Structure of new deodorant biphenyl compounds from thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) and their activity against methyl mercaptan

Abstract

The leaves of thyme (Thymus vulgans L.) were found to contain new compounds, 4′-hydroxy5, 5′-diisopropyl-2, 2′-dimethylbiphenyl-3, 4-dione (1), 5, 5′-diisopropyl-2, 2′-dimethylbiphenyl-3, 4, 3′, 4′tetraone (2), and 4, 4′-dihydroxy-5, 5′-disopropyl-2, 2′-dimethylbiphenyl-3, 6-dione (3a). These structures were determined by chemical and spectroscopic methods. The deodorant activity of compound 1 against methyl mercaptan was more effective than that of rosmanol, carnosol and sodium copper chlorophylline. © 1989, Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Agrochemistry. All rights reserved.