Misplaced Pages

Menthol

Names
Preferred IUPAC name 5-Methyl-2-(propan-2-yl)cyclohexan-1-ol
Other names 2-Isopropyl-5-methylcyclohexan-1-ol 2-Isopropyl-5-methylcyclohexanol 3-p-Menthanol Hexahydrothymol Menthomenthol Peppermint camphor
Identifiers
CAS Number	2216-51-5 (levomenthol) 89-78-1 (racementhol)
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChEBI	CHEBI:15409
ChEMBL	ChEMBL470670
ChemSpider	15803
DrugBank	DB00825
ECHA InfoCard	100.016.992
EC Number	218-690-9
IUPHAR/BPS	2430
KEGG	C00400
PubChem CID	16666
RTECS number	OT0350000, racemic
UNII	BZ1R15MTK7 (levomenthol) YS08XHA860 (racementhol)
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID1022180
InChI InChI=1S/C10H20O/c1-7(2)9-5-4-8(3)6-10(9)11/h7-11H,4-6H2,1-3H3/t8-,9+,10-/m1/s1Key: NOOLISFMXDJSKH-KXUCPTDWSA-N InChI=1S/C10H20O/c1-7(2)9-5-4-8(3)6-10(9)11/h7-11H,4-6H2,1-3H3/t8-,9+,10-/m1/s1 Key: NOOLISFMXDJSKH-KXUCPTDWSA-N
SMILES O1(C(C)C)CC(C)C1
Properties
Chemical formula	C10H20O
Molar mass	156.269 g·mol
Appearance	White or colorless crystalline solid
Odor	mint-licorice
Density	0.890 g·cm, solid (racemic or (−)-isomer)
Melting point	36–38 °C (97–100 °F; 309–311 K) racemic 42–45 °C, (−)-isomer, α crystalline form
Boiling point	214.6 °C (418.3 °F; 487.8 K)
Solubility in water	Slightly soluble, (−)-isomer
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards	Irritant, flammable
GHS labelling:
Pictograms
Signal word	Warning
Hazard statements	H315, H319
Precautionary statements	P264, P280, P302+P352, P305+P351+P338, P332+P313, P337+P313, P362
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)	2 2 0
Flash point	93 °C (199 °F; 366 K)
Safety data sheet (SDS)	External MSDS
Related compounds
Related alcohols	Cyclohexanol, Pulegol, Dihydrocarveol, Piperitol
Related compounds	Menthone, Menthene, Menthane,Thymol, p-Cymene, Citronellal
Supplementary data page
Menthol (data page)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C , 100 kPa). N verify (what is  ?) Infobox references

Menthol is an organic compound, specifically a monoterpenoid, that occurs naturally in the oils of several plants in the mint family, such as corn mint and peppermint. It is a white or clear waxy crystalline substance that is solid at room temperature and melts slightly above. The main form of menthol occurring in nature is (−)-menthol, which is assigned the (1R,2S,5R) configuration.

For many people, menthol produces a cooling sensation when inhaled, eaten, or applied to the skin, and mint plants have been used for centuries for topical pain relief and as a food flavoring. Menthol has local anesthetic and counterirritant qualities, and it is widely used to relieve minor throat irritation. Menthol also acts as a weak κ-opioid receptor agonist.

Structure

Natural menthol exists as one pure stereoisomer, nearly always the (1R,2S,5R) form (bottom left corner of the diagram below). The eight possible stereoisomers are:

In the natural compound, the isopropyl group is in the trans orientation to both the methyl and hydroxyl groups. Thus, it can be drawn in any of the ways shown:

The (+)- and (−)-enantiomers of menthol are the most stable among these based on their cyclohexane conformations. With the ring itself in a chair conformation, all three bulky groups can orient in equatorial positions.

The two crystal forms for racemic menthol have melting points of 28 °C and 38 °C. Pure (−)-menthol has four crystal forms, of which the most stable is the α form, the familiar broad needles.

Biological properties

This section needs additional citations to secondary or tertiary sources. Help add sources such as review articles, monographs, or textbooks. Please also establish the relevance for any primary research articles cited. Unsourced or poorly sourced material may be challenged and removed. (September 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Menthol's ability to chemically trigger the cold-sensitive TRPM8 receptors in the skin is responsible for the well-known cooling sensation it provokes when inhaled, eaten, or applied to the skin. In this sense, it is similar to capsaicin, the chemical responsible for the spiciness of hot chilis (which stimulates heat sensors, also without causing an actual change in temperature).

Menthol's analgesic properties are mediated through a selective activation of κ-opioid receptors. Menthol blocks calcium channels and voltage-sensitive sodium channels, reducing neural activity that may stimulate muscles.

Some studies show that menthol acts as a GABA_A receptor positive allosteric modulator and increases GABAergic transmission in PAG neurons. Menthol has anesthetic properties similar to, though less potent than, propofol because it interacts with the same sites on the GABA_A receptor. Menthol may also enhance the activity of glycine receptors and negatively modulate 5-HT₃ receptors and nAChRs.

Menthol is widely used in dental care as a topical antibacterial agent, effective against several types of streptococci and lactobacilli. Menthol also lowers blood pressure and antagonizes vasoconstriction through TRPM8 activation.

Occurrence

Mentha arvensis (wild mint) is the primary species of mint used to make natural menthol crystals and natural menthol flakes. This species is primarily grown in the Uttar Pradesh region in India.

Menthol occurs naturally in peppermint oil (along with a little menthone, the ester menthyl acetate and other compounds), obtained from Mentha × piperita (peppermint). Japanese menthol also contains a small percentage of the 1-epimer neomenthol.

Biosynthesis

The biosynthesis of menthol has been investigated in Mentha × piperita and the enzymes involved in have been identified and characterized. It begins with the synthesis of the terpene limonene, followed by hydroxylation, and then several reduction and isomerization steps.

More specifically, the biosynthesis of (−)-menthol takes place in the secretory gland cells of the peppermint plant. The steps of the biosynthetic pathway are as follows:

1. Geranyl diphosphate synthase (GPPS) first catalyzes the reaction of IPP and DMAPP into geranyl diphosphate.
2. (−)-limonene synthase (LS) catalyzes the cyclization of geranyl diphosphate to (−)-limonene.
3. (−)-Limonene-3-hydroxylase (L3OH), using O₂ and then nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) catalyzes the allylic hydroxylation of (−)-limonene at the 3 position to (−)-trans-isopiperitenol.
4. (−)-trans-Isopiperitenol dehydrogenase (iPD) further oxidizes the hydroxyl group on the 3 position using NAD to make (−)-isopiperitenone.
5. (−)-Isopiperitenone reductase (iPR) then reduces the double bond between carbons 1 and 2 using NADPH to form (+)-cis-isopulegone.
6. (+)-cis-Isopulegone isomerase (iPI) then isomerizes the remaining double bond to form (+)-pulegone.
7. (+)-Pulegone reductase (PR) reduces this double bond using NADPH to form (−)-menthone.
8. (−)-Menthone reductase (MR) then reduces the carbonyl group using NADPH to form (−)-menthol.

Production

Natural menthol is obtained by freezing peppermint oil. The resultant crystals of menthol are then separated by filtration.

Total world production of menthol in 1998 was 12,000 tonnes of which 2,500 tonnes was synthetic. In 2005, the annual production of synthetic menthol was almost double. Prices are in the $10–20/kg range with peaks in the $40/kg region but have reached as high as $100/kg. In 1985, it was estimated that China produced most of the world's supply of natural menthol, although it appears that India has pushed China into second place.

Menthol is manufactured as a single enantiomer (94% e.e.) on the scale of 3,000 tonnes per year by Takasago International Corporation. The process involves an asymmetric synthesis developed by a team led by Ryōji Noyori, who won the 2001 Nobel Prize for Chemistry in recognition of his work on this process:

The process begins by forming an allylic amine from myrcene, which undergoes asymmetric isomerisation in the presence of a BINAP rhodium complex to give (after hydrolysis) enantiomerically pure R-citronellal. This is cyclised by a carbonyl-ene-reaction initiated by zinc bromide to isopulegol [de], which is then hydrogenated to give pure (1R,2S,5R)-menthol.

Another commercial process is the Haarmann–Reimer process (after the company Haarmann & Reimer, now part of Symrise) This process starts from m-cresol which is alkylated with propene to thymol. This compound is hydrogenated in the next step. Racemic menthol is isolated by fractional distillation. The enantiomers are separated by chiral resolution in reaction with methyl benzoate, selective crystallisation followed by hydrolysis.

Racemic menthol can also be formed by hydrogenation of thymol, menthone, or pulegone. In both cases with further processing (crystallizative entrainment resolution of the menthyl benzoate conglomerate) it is possible to concentrate the L-enantiomer, however this tends to be less efficient, although the higher processing costs may be offset by lower raw material costs. A further advantage of this process is that D-menthol becomes inexpensively available for use as a chiral auxiliary, along with the more usual L-antipode.

Applications

This section is in list format but may read better as prose. You can help by converting this section, if appropriate. Editing help is available. (October 2022)

Menthol is included in many products, and for a variety of reasons.

Cosmetic

• In some beauty products such as hair conditioners, based on natural ingredients (e.g., St. ⁠Ives).

Medical

• As an antipruritic to reduce itching.
• As a topical analgesic, it is used to relieve minor aches and pains, such as muscle cramps, sprains, headaches and similar conditions, alone or combined with chemicals such as camphor, eucalyptus oil or capsaicin. In Europe, it tends to appear as a gel or a cream, while in the U.S., patches and body sleeves are very frequently used, e.g.: Tiger Balm, or IcyHot patches or knee/elbow sleeves.
• As a penetration enhancer in transdermal drug delivery.
• In decongestants for chest and sinuses (cream, patch or nose inhaler).
  • Examples: Vicks VapoRub, Mentholatum, Axe Brand, VapoRem, Mentisan.
• In certain medications used to treat sunburns, as it provides a cooling sensation (then often associated with aloe).
• Commonly used in oral hygiene products and bad-breath remedies, such as mouthwash, toothpaste, mouth and tongue sprays, and more generally as a food flavor agent; such as in chewing gum and candy.
• In first aid products such as "mineral ice" to produce a cooling effect as a substitute for real ice in the absence of water or electricity (pouch, body patch/sleeve or cream).
• In nonprescription products for short-term relief of minor sore throat and minor mouth or throat irritation e.g.: lip balms and cough medicines.
• A recent study showed improvement in Alzheimer's symptoms and cognition improvements in mice.

Others

• In aftershave products to relieve razor burn.
• As a smoking tobacco additive in some cigarette brands, for flavor, and to reduce throat and sinus irritation caused by smoking. Menthol also increases nicotine receptor density, increasing the addictive potential of tobacco products.
• As a pesticide against tracheal mites of honey bees.
• In perfumery, menthol is used to prepare menthyl esters to emphasize floral notes (especially rose).
• In various patches ranging from fever-reducing patches applied to children's foreheads to "foot patches" to relieve numerous ailments (the latter being much more frequent and elaborate in Asia, especially Japan: some varieties use "functional protrusions", or small bumps to massage one's feet as well as soothing them and cooling them down).
• As an antispasmodic and smooth muscle relaxant in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Organic chemistry

In organic chemistry, menthol is used as a chiral auxiliary in asymmetric synthesis. For example, sulfinate esters made from sulfinyl chlorides and menthol can be used to make enantiomerically pure sulfoxides by reaction with organolithium reagents or Grignard reagents. Menthol reacts with chiral carboxylic acids to give diastereomic menthyl esters, which are useful for chiral resolution.

• It can be used as a catalyst for sodium production for the amateur chemist via the alcohol catalysed magnesium reduction process.
• Menthol is potentially ergogenic (performance enhancing) for athletic performance in hot environments

Reactions

Menthol reacts in many ways like a normal secondary alcohol. It is oxidised to menthone by oxidising agents such as chromic acid, dichromate, or by calcium hypochlorite, in a green chemistry route. Under some conditions the oxidation using Cr(VI) compounds can go further and break open the ring. Menthol is easily dehydrated to give mainly 3-menthene, by the action of 2% sulfuric acid. Phosphorus pentachloride (PCl₅) gives menthyl chloride.

History

In the West, menthol was first isolated in 1771, by the German, Hieronymus David Gaubius. Early characterizations were done by Oppenheim, Beckett, Moriya, and Atkinson. It was named by F. L. Alphons Oppenheim (1833–1877) in 1861.

Compendial status

• United States Pharmacopeia 23
• Japanese Pharmacopoeia 15
• Food Chemicals Codex

Safety

The estimated lethal dose for menthol (and peppermint oil) in humans may be as low as LD${\displaystyle _{50}}$=50–500 mg/kg. In the rat, 3300 mg/kg. In the mouse, 3400 mg/kg. In the cat, 800 mg/kg.

Survival after doses of 8 to 9 g has been reported. Overdose effects are abdominal pain, ataxia, atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, coma, dizziness, lethargy, nausea, skin rash, tremor, vomiting, and vertigo.

See also

• Aroma compound
• Carvone
• Chlorobutanol
• Ethyl benzoate
• Ethyl salicylate
• Menthoxypropanediol
• Methyl salicylate
• Menthol cigarettes
• Menthyl isovalerate
• Menthyl nicotinate
• p-Menthane-3,8-diol
• Thujone
• Vapor pressure

References

1. "l-Menthol". pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
2. "Safety Data Sheet" (PDF). Reckitt Benckiser. 27 October 2016. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
3. Eccles R (1994). "Menthol and Related Cooling Compounds". J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 46 (8): 618–630. doi:10.1111/j.2042-7158.1994.tb03871.x. PMID 7529306. S2CID 20568911.
4. Galeotti N, Mannelli LD, Mazzanti G, Bartolini A, Ghelardini C, Di Cesare M (2002). "Menthol: a natural analgesic compound". Neurosci. Lett. 322 (3): 145–148. doi:10.1016/S0304-3940(01)02527-7. PMID 11897159. S2CID 33979563.
5. Hawthorn M, Ferrante J, Luchowski E, Rutledge A, Wei XY, Triggle DJ (April 1988). "The actions of peppermint oil and menthol on calcium channel dependent processes in intestinal, neuronal and cardiac preparations". Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 2 (2): 101–18. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2036.1988.tb00677.x. PMID 2856502. S2CID 24596984.
6. Haeseler G, Maue D, Grosskreutz J, Bufler J, Nentwig B, Piepenbrock S, Dengler R, Leuwer M (2002). "Voltage-dependent block of neuronal and skeletal muscle sodium channels by thymol and menthol". Eur. J. Anaesthes. 19 (8): 571–579. doi:10.1017/S0265021502000923 (inactive 1 November 2024). PMID 12200946.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of November 2024 (link)
7. Lau BK, Karim S, Goodchild AK, Vaughan CW, Drew GM (1 June 2014). "Menthol enhances phasic and tonic GABA_A receptor-mediated currents in midbrain periaqueductal grey neurons". Br. J. Pharmacol. 171 (11): 2803–2813. doi:10.1111/bph.12602. ISSN 1476-5381. PMC 4243856. PMID 24460753.
8. Watt EE, Betts BA, Kotey FO, Humbert DJ, Griffith TN, Kelly EW, Veneskey KC, Gill N, Rowan KC (20 August 2008). "Menthol shares general anesthetic activity and sites of action on the GABA_A receptor with the intravenous agent, propofol". Eur. J. Pharmacol. 590 (1–3): 120–126. doi:10.1016/j.ejphar.2008.06.003. ISSN 0014-2999. PMID 18593637.
9. Oz M, El Nebrisi EG, Yang KH, Howarth FC, Al Kury LT (2017). "Cellular and Molecular Targets of Menthol Actions". Frontiers in Pharmacology. 8: 472. doi:10.3389/fphar.2017.00472. PMC 5513973. PMID 28769802.
10. Freires IA, Denny C, Benso B, de Alencar SM, Rosalen PL (22 April 2015). "Antibacterial Activity of Essential Oils and Their Isolated Constituents against Cariogenic Bacteria: A Systematic Review". Molecules. 20 (4): 7329–7358. doi:10.3390/molecules20047329. PMC 6272492. PMID 25911964.
11. Sun J, Yang T, Wang P, Ma S, Zhu Z, Pu Y, Li L, Zhao Y, Xiong S, Liu D, Zhu Z (June 2014). "Activation of cold-sensing transient receptor potential melastatin subtype 8 antagonizes vasoconstriction and hypertension through attenuating RhoA/Rho kinase pathway". Hypertension. 63 (6): 1354–63. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.113.02573. PMID 24637663. S2CID 11029018.
12. PDR for Herbal Medicines (4 ed.). Thomson Healthcare. 2007. p. 640. ISBN 978-1-56363-678-3.
13. ^ Croteau RB, Davis EM, Ringer KL, Wildung MR (December 2005). "(−)-Menthol biosynthesis and molecular genetics". Naturwissenschaften. 92 (12): 562–577. Bibcode:2005NW.....92..562C. doi:10.1007/s00114-005-0055-0. PMID 16292524. S2CID 206871270.
14. Charles S. Sell (2013), "Terpenoids", in Arza Seidel, et al. (eds.), Kirk-Othmer Chemical Technology of Cosmetics, John Wiley & Sons, pp. 247–374, ISBN 978-1-118-40692-2
15. "Japan: Takasago to Expand L-Menthol Production in Iwata Plant". Flex News Food.
16. Schäfer B (2013). "Menthol". Chemie in unserer Zeit. 47 (3): 174–182. doi:10.1002/ciuz.201300599.
17. Sell C, ed. (2006). The Chemistry of Fragrances: From Perfumer to Consumer. Royal Society of Chemistry. ISBN 978-0-85404-824-3.
18. https://www.sciencealert.com/unexpected-link-between-menthol-and-alzheimers-discovered-in-mice
19. Henderson BJ, Wall TR, Henley BM, Kim CH, Nichols WA, Moaddel R, Xiao C, Lester HA (2016). "Menthol Alone Upregulates Midbrain nAChRs, Alters nAChR Subtype Stoichiometry, Alters Dopamine Neuron Firing Frequency, and Prevents Nicotine Reward". J. Neurosci. 36 (10): 2957–2974. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4194-15.2016. PMC 4783498. PMID 26961950.
20. Biswas L, Harrison E, Gong Y, Avusula R, Lee J, Zhang M, Rousselle T, Lage J, Liu X (2016). "Enhancing effect of menthol on nicotine self-administration in rats". Psychopharmacology. 233 (18): 3417–3427. doi:10.1007/s00213-016-4391-x. PMC 4990499. PMID 27473365.
21. Wickham RJ (2015). "How Menthol Alters Tobacco-Smoking Behavior: A Biological Perspective". Yale J. Biol. Med. 88 (3): 279–287. PMC 4553648. PMID 26339211.
22. Hiki N, Kaminishi M, Hasunuma T, Nakamura M, Nomura S, Yahagi N, Tajiri H, Suzuki H (2011). "A Phase I Study Evaluating Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Preliminary Efficacy of L-Menthol in Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy". Clin. Pharmacol. Ther. 90 (2): 221–228. doi:10.1038/clpt.2011.110. PMID 21544078. S2CID 24399887.
23. "Make Sodium Metal with Menthol (And a bunch of other stuff...)". YouTube. 14 February 2019.
24. Barwood MJ, Gibson OR, Gillis DJ, Jeffries O, Morris NB, Pearce J, Ross ML, Stevens C, Rinaldi K, Kounalakis SN, Riera F (1 October 2020). "Menthol as an Ergogenic Aid for the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games: An Expert-Led Consensus Statement Using the Modified Delphi Method". Sports Medicine. 50 (10): 1709–1727. doi:10.1007/s40279-020-01313-9. ISSN 1179-2035. PMC 7497433. PMID 32623642.
25. Sandborn LT. "l-Menthone". Organic Syntheses; Collected Volumes, vol. 1, p. 340.
26. Surapaneni A, Surapaneni A, Wu J, Bajaj A, Reyes K, Adwankar R, Vittaladevuni A, Njoo E (2020). "Kinetic Monitoring and Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy of the Green Oxidation of (-)-Menthol to (-)-Menthone". Journal of Emerging Investigators. doi:10.59720/20-058.
27. Adversoriorum varii argumentii. Vol. 1. Leiden. 1771. p. 99.
28. Oppenheim A (1862). "On the camphor of peppermint". J. Chem. Soc. 15: 24. doi:10.1039/JS8621500024.
29. Beckett GH, Alder Wright CR (1876). "Isomeric terpenes and their derivatives (Part V)". J. Chem. Soc. 29: 1. doi:10.1039/JS8762900001.
30. Moriya M (1881). "Contributions from the Laboratory of the University of Tôkiô, Japan. No. IV. On menthol or peppermint camphor". J. Chem. Soc., Trans. 39: 77. doi:10.1039/CT8813900077.
31. Atkinson RW, Yoshida H (1882). "On peppermint camphor (menthol) and some of its derivatives". J. Chem. Soc., Trans. 41: 49. doi:10.1039/CT8824100049.
32. Oppenheim A (1861). "Note sur le camphre de menthe" [On the camphor of mint]. Comptes Rendus. 53: 379–380. Les analogies avec le bornéol me permettent de proposer pour ce corps le nom de menthol,…
33. Therapeutic Goods Administration (1999). "Approved Terminology for Medicines" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 May 2006. Retrieved 29 June 2009.
34. "Japanese Pharmacopoeia". Archived from the original on 9 April 2008. Retrieved 29 June 2009.
35. Sigma Aldrich. "DL-Menthol". Retrieved 15 February 2022.
36. James A. Duke (2002), "PEPPERMINT", Handbook of Medicinal Herbs (2nd ed.), pp. 562–564, ISBN 978-0-8493-1284-7
37. Jerrold B. Leikin, Frank P. Paloucek, eds. (2008), "Peppermint Oil", Poisoning and Toxicology Handbook (4th ed.), Informa, p. 885, ISBN 978-1-4200-4479-9

Further reading

• Turner EE, Harris MM (1952). Organic Chemistry. London: Longmans, Green & Co.
• Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (71st ed.). Ann Arbor, MI: CRC Press. 1990.
• The Merck Index (7th ed.). Rahway, NJ: Merck & Co. 1960.
• "Aroma Chemical Profile: Menthol". Perfumer & Flavorist. 32 (12): 38–47. December 2007.
• Colacot TJ (1 April 2002). "2001 Nobel Prize in Chemistry: Timely recognition for rhodium, ruthenium and osmium-catalysed chiral reactions". Platinum Metals Rev. 46 (2): 82–83. doi:10.1595/003214002X4628283.

External links

• Ryoji Noyori Nobel lecture (2001)
• A review of menthol from the Science Creative Quarterly

• Analgesics
• Antipruritics
• Cooling flavors
• Kappa-opioid receptor agonists
• GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulators
• Cyclohexanols
• Monoterpenes
• Isopropyl compounds
• Transient receptor potential channel modulators