Skip to content
safrole

Structure via PubChem · Public domain (PubChem)

EntityQ412424· pop 29· linked from 89 articles

Also known as safrol, shikimole, shikimol, 3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)prop-1-ene, allylcatechol methylene ether, 5-allyl-benzo[1,3]dioxole, m-allylpyrocatechin methylene ether, 4-allyl-1,2-methylenedioxybenzene

Safrole is a possibly-carcinogenic, organic compound with the formula CH2O2C6H3CH2CH=CH2. It is a colorless oily liquid, although impure samples can appear yellow. A member of the phenylpropanoid family of natural products, it is found in sassafras plants, among others. Small amounts are found in a wide variety of plants, where it functions as a natural antifeedant. Ocotea pretiosa, which grows in Brazil, and Sassafras albidum, which grows in eastern North America, are the main natural sources of safrole. It has a characteristic "sweet-shop" aroma.

Chemical data

Formula
C10H10O2
Molecular weight
162.18 g/mol
IUPAC name
5-prop-2-enyl-1,3-benzodioxole
SMILES
C=CCC1=CC2=C(C=C1)OCO2
InChIKey
ZMQAAUBTXCXRIC-UHFFFAOYSA-N
XLogP
3
Polar surface area
18.5 Ų
H-bond donors
0
H-bond acceptors
2
Formal charge
0

via PubChem

Research

916 papers

via PubMed

Wikidata facts

Mass
162.068
Show 3 more facts
chemical formula
C₁₀H₁₀O₂
canonical SMILES
C=CCC1=CC2=C(C=C1)OCO2
Commons category
Safrole
Sources (4)

via Wikidata · CC0

~12 min read

Article

12 sections
Contents
  • History
  • Natural occurrence
  • Applications
  • Synthesis
  • Isosafrole
  • Metabolism
  • Toxicity
  • Adverse effects
  • Use in MDMA manufacture
  • See also
  • References
  • External links

Safrole is a possibly-carcinogenic, organic compound with the formula CH2O2C6H3CH2CH=CH2. It is a colorless oily liquid, although impure samples can appear yellow. A member of the phenylpropanoid family of natural products, it is found in sassafras plants, among others. Small amounts are found in a wide variety of plants, where it functions as a natural antifeedant. Ocotea pretiosa, which grows in Brazil, and Sassafras albidum, which grows in eastern North America, are the main natural sources of safrole. It has a characteristic "sweet-shop" aroma.

It is a precursor in the synthesis of the insecticide synergist piperonyl butoxide, the fragrance piperonal via isosafrole, and the empathogenic/entactogenic substance MDMA.

Gallery (5)

Connections

Categories