August 22, 2025 | UR Gate
Eugenol (C10H12O2) Structure, Properties and Nomenclature
Discover Eugenol (C10H12O2), a key component of clove oil. Learn its chemical structure, important properties, IUPAC name, synonyms, and its widespread applications in flavors, fragrances, and dental care.
What is Eugenol (C10H12O2)?
Eugenol is a naturally occurring phenolic compound derived from certain essential oils, most notably from clove oil, nutmeg, cinnamon, basil, and bay leaf. It possesses a distinctively warm, spicy, and aromatic scent, making it a popular ingredient in the fragrance industry, flavorings for foods and beverages, and traditional medicine. Eugenol is well-known for its antiseptic, anesthetic, and antioxidant properties, which have led to its extensive use in dentistry as a dental analgesic and in aromatherapy for its calming effects. Its chemical structure, featuring a guaiacol moiety with an attached allyl group, is responsible for its characteristic aroma and pharmacological activities.
Properties of Eugenol (C10H12O2)
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Molecular Formula | C₁₀H₁₂O₂ |
| Molecular Weight | 164.20 g/mol |
| Density | 1.065 g/cm³ |
| Boiling Point | 254 °C |
| Melting Point | -9 °C |
| Hybridization | Aromatic ring carbons: sp²; Allyl group carbons: sp² and sp³; Oxygen atoms: sp³ |
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow oily liquid |
| Solubility | Slightly soluble in water; soluble in ethanol, ether, chloroform, and oils |
Nomenclature of Eugenol
- Common name: Eugenol
- IUPAC name: 2-methoxy-4-(2-propenyl)phenol
Synonyms
- 4-Allyl-2-methoxyphenol
- 4-Allylcatechol 2-methyl ether
- 4-Allylguaiacol
- 2-Methoxy-4-allylphenol
- Clove oil constituent
- Eugenic acid
- 2-Hydroxy-4-allylanisole
- Isoeugenol methyl ether (though distinct from isoeugenol itself)
