Which among the following statements about terpenes is NOT true?
Which among the following statements about terpenes is NOT true?
Terpenes occur in essential oils
Terpenes include vitamin A, E and $\mathrm{K}$
Terpenes consist of isoprene units
Terpenes are saturated hydrocarbons
Solution
Terpenes are hydrocarbons that are classified by the number of isoprene units (C5H8), with the most common being mono-, sesqui-, and di-terpenes (C10, C15, and C20, respectively).
Terpenes are highly aromatic compounds that determine the smell of many plants and herbs, such as rosemary and lavender, as well as some animals. Manufacturers use isolated terpenes to create the flavors and scents of many everyday products, such as perfumes, body products, and even foods.
The side chains of Vitamin A, E, K, squalene (unsaturated hydrocarbon found in shark, humans) are all constituents of terpenes.
Terpenes are important constituents of essential oils, having a chemical structure consisting of repeated isoprene $\left(\mathrm{C}_{5} \mathrm{H}_{8}\right)$ units. They are classified into monoterpenes $\left(C_{10}\right)$, sesquiterpenes $\left(C_{15}\right)$, and diterpenes $\left(C_{20}\right)$ based on whether they are made up of two, three, or four isoprene units respectively.