The Leaf Oils of Coatesia and Geijera (Rutaceae) from Australia

Abstract

The leaf oils of the Australian members of the genera Geijera and Coatesia have been examined by GC and GC/MS. Coatesia paniculata gave a consistent oil in which the principal components were α-pinene (27–57%) and β-caryophyllene (4–12%). Geijera linearifolia gave a leaf oil dominated by spathulenol (10–17%), geranyl acetate (4–9%), bicyclogermacrene (3–6%) and (E,E)-farnesol (23–30%). Four chemotypes of Geijera parviflora were detected: (1) in which geijerene/pregeijerene and linalool predominated, (2) in which linalool and α- and β-eudesmol predominated, (3) in which α-pinene and camphene predominated and (4) in which phloroacetophenone dimethyl ether predominated. Geijera salicifolia also existed in several chemotypes, one of which contained large amounts of phloroacetophenone dimethyl ether (> 65%). Also present in this particular chemotype was the geijerene/pregeijerene and attendant C₁₂H₁₈ complex, totaling approximately 5%. In a second sample of this chemotype, this complex was absent. A second chemotype of this species contained α-pinene (38.6%), camphene (22.4%) and limonene (7.5%) as principal components.

Key Word Index:

• Coatesia paniculata
• Geijera linearifolia
• Geijera parviflora
• Geijera salicifolia
• Rutaceae
• essential oil composition
• α-pinene
• camphene
• linalool
• geijerene
• pregeijerene
• β-caryophyllene
• spathulenol
• α-eudesmol
• β-eudesmol
• (E,E)-farnesol
• dimethylphloracetophenone