The volatile terpenoid found in catnip (Nepeta cataria).
| Veterinary Dictionary: nepetalactone |
The volatile terpenoid found in catnip (Nepeta cataria).
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| Wikipedia: Nepetalactone |
| Nepetalactone | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name |
4,7-dimethyl-5,6,7,7a-tetrahydrocyclo--
penta[c]pyran-1(4aH)-one |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | 490-10-8 |
| SMILES |
C\C2=C\OC(=O)C1C2CCC1C
|
| InChI |
1/C10H14O2/c1-6-3-4-8-7(2)5-12-
10(11)9(6)8/h5-6,8-9H,3-4H2,1-2H3 |
| Properties | |
| Molecular formula | C10H14O2 |
| Molar mass | 166.217 g·mol−1 |
| Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) | |
| Infobox references | |
Nepetalactone is an organic compound first isolated in the plant catnip, Nepeta cataria. Nepetalactone is bicyclic terpenoid, i.e. it is a ten-carbon compound derived from isoprene with two fused rings, a cyclopentane and a lactone. Nepetalactone is a cat attractant. The structure and the effects of the compound are similar to those of valepotriates. A number of isomers of nepetalactone are known.
Nepetalactone was first reported in 1941 after it was isolated by steam distillation of catnip.[1]
The compound is also present in the wood of tartarian honeysuckle (lonicera tatarica), shavings of which are often used in cat toys.
As 4aα,7α,7aα-nepetalactone it is the active chemical in Nepeta cataria that causes its characteristic effect on cats. Around 75% of cats are affected; susceptibility is gene-linked. The chemical interacts as a vapour at the olfactory epithelium. The compound only mildly affects humans: it is a weak sedative, antispasmodic, febrifuge, and antibacterial. In high doses it also has an emetic effect. Nepetalactone also has effects on some insects: it repels cockroaches and mosquitos,[1] is poisonous to some common flies and is a sex pheromone to aphids.
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![]() | Veterinary Dictionary. Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved. Read more | |
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