iridoid
Sign in to savethumb|Chemical structure of iridomyrmecin Iridoids are a type of monoterpenoids in the general form of cyclopentanopyran, found in a wide variety of plants and some animals. They are biosynthetically derived from 8-oxogeranial. Iridoids are typically found in plants as glycosides, most often bound to glucose.
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5 sectionsContents
- Occurrence
- Biosynthesis
- See also
- References
- Further reading
thumb|Chemical structure of iridomyrmecin Iridoids are a type of monoterpenoids in the general form of cyclopentanopyran, found in a wide variety of plants and some animals. They are biosynthetically derived from 8-oxogeranial. Iridoids are typically found in plants as glycosides, most often bound to glucose.
The chemical structure is exemplified by iridomyrmecin, a defensive chemical produced by the ant genus Iridomyrmex, for which iridoids are named. Structurally, they are bicyclic cis-fused cyclopentane-pyrans. Cleavage of a bond in the cyclopentane ring gives rise to a subclass known as secoiridoids, such as oleuropein and amarogentin.