Essential Oils. X. Elsholtziaketone and Naginataketone, the Main Constituents of a New Perilla Oil

Perilla naginataketoniferum afforded, on steam distillation, 0.4% essential oil, of which the constituents were 2.4% (‐)‐limonene, 48.9% elsholtziaketone, 36.7% naginataketone, 8.6% α‐caryopyllene, small amount of dipentene and acids. The structure of naginataketone was elucidated as 1‐(β‐methyl‐α‐furoyl)‐2‐methyl‐1‐propene. The taxonomical relationships between various species of perilla grass were discussed in the light of the possible routes by which the biosyntheses of the particular main constituents in the oil might be brought about in the plant of the Perilla Genus.