Bornane
Bornane, also known as camphane, is a bicyclic monoterpene. It forms the core structure for many naturally occurring compounds, including camphor, borneol, and isoborneol. It consists of two fused rings, a six-membered ring (cyclohexane) and a five-membered ring (cyclopentane), with three methyl groups attached to the cyclohexane ring. Its chemical formula is C10H18.
Bornane itself is a relatively inert hydrocarbon. Derivatives of bornane, however, are biologically active and widely used. The bornane skeleton provides a rigid framework that influences the reactivity and properties of substituents attached to it.
Bornane can be synthesized in the laboratory, and it is also obtained from natural sources via extraction from essential oils. It serves as a starting material in the synthesis of various pharmaceuticals, fragrances, and other fine chemicals. The specific arrangement of substituents on the bornane skeleton leads to stereoisomers, which can exhibit different biological and chemical properties.