Triterpene

Description

A chemical class of C30 hydrocarbon compounds that constitute natural resins obtained from many types of broad leaf trees (Mills and White 1994). Often occurring as pentacyclic compounds, some examples of natural resins formed from triterpenoid compounds are: Dammar, mastic, Elemi, Myrrh, Olibanum, benzoin, and Tolu balsam.

Synonyms and Related Terms

triterpenoid resin

Resources and Citations

• John S. Mills, Raymond White, The Organic Chemistry of Museum Objects, 2nd ed., Butterworth Heineman, London, pp. 92-96, 1994

• Gisela van der Doelan, Molecular Studies of Fresh and Aged Triterpenoid Varnishes, MOLART 1999, available from Archetype Publications, London.

• Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "Chemical Compound." Accessed 16 July 2004.