| Names | |
|---|---|
|  IUPAC name  4α,5α-Eremophila-1(10),11-dien-2-one  | |
|  Systematic IUPAC name  (4R,4aS,6R)-4,4a-Dimethyl-6-(prop-1-en-2-yl)-4,4a,5,6,7,8-hexahydronaphthalen-2(3H)-one  | |
| Other names  (+)-nootkatone  | |
| Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol)  | |
| ChEBI | |
| ChEMBL | |
| ChemSpider | |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.022.840 | 
| KEGG | |
 PubChem CID  | |
| UNII | |
 CompTox Dashboard (EPA)  | |
  | |
  | |
| Properties | |
| C15H22O | |
| Molar mass | 218.340 g·mol−1 | 
| Appearance | Clear or white crystals, impure samples appear as a viscous yellow liquid | 
| Density | 0.968 g/mL | 
| Melting point | 36 °C (97 °F; 309 K) | 
| Boiling point | 170 °C (338 °F; 443 K) | 
| Insoluble in water, very soluble in ethanol, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, soluble in hexanes | |
| Hazards | |
| GHS labelling: [1] | |
|   | |
| Warning | |
| H317 | |
| P280 | |
| Flash point | ~100 °C (212 °F; 373 K) | 
| Related compounds | |
Related terpenes   | Valencene | 
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).  | |
Nootkatone is an organic compound, a sesquiterpenoid, which means that it is a C15 derivative that also contains an oxygen-containing functional group (a ketone). It is the most valuable aroma compound of grapefruit. [2] Nootkatone was originally isolated from the wood of the Alaskan yellow cedar, Cupressus nootkatensis. The species name, nootkatensis, is derived from the language of the Nuu-Chah-Nulth people of Canada (formerly referred to as the Nootka people). [3]
Nootkatone is produced commercially from valencene, another more abundant sesquiterpene. [4]
 Allylix (Now Lallemand of Montreal, PQ), developed a fermentation process to nootkatone. [5] [6]
As is true of other plant terpenoids, nootkatone activates α-adrenergic type 1 octopamine receptor (PaOA1) in susceptible arthropods, causing fatal spasms. [7]
Nootkatone in spray form is an effective repellent or insecticide against deer ticks [8] [9] [10] and lone star ticks. [9] [10] It is also an effective repellent or insecticide against mosquitos, and may repel bed bugs, head lice, Formosan termites, [11] and other insects. [12] It is an environmentally friendly insecticide because it is a volatile essential oil that does not persist in the environment. [12] It was approved by the U.S. EPA for this use on August 10, 2020. [13] Its ability to repel ticks, mosquitoes, and other insects may last for hours, in contrast to other plant-based oil repellants like citronella, peppermint oil, and lemongrass oil. [14] It is nontoxic to humans, is an approved food additive, [12] and is commonly used in foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. [8] The CDC has licensed patents to two companies to produce an insecticide and an insect repellant. [12]