Determination of the enantiomeric composition of α‐terpineol in essential oils

Natural enantiomerically pure (4R) (+)‐α‐terpineol was detected, for the first time, in the essential oil of Micromeria fruticosa (L.) Druce. High enantiomeric purities of the (+)‐enantiomer (78‐88%) were detected in seven other oils. Relatively high enantiomeric purities of (4S) (−)‐α‐terpineol (80%) were detected in the oils of cinnamon and Laurus nobilis L. Lower enantiomeric purities of the (−)‐enantiomer (64‐69%) were detected in another four oils, using a permethylated β‐cyclodextrin chiral capillary GC column.