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 occuring 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

Additional Information

° 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.

Sources Checked for Data in Record

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

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