# 4-Phenylbut-2-yl Esters from the Essential Oil of Artemisia rutifolia from Mongolia

## TL;DR

This study identifies unique chemical compounds in the essential oil of a Mongolian plant, Artemisia rutifolia, which has a fresh-fruity smell and potential for industrial use.

## Contribution

The discovery of seven previously unreported 4-phenylbut-2-yl esters in Artemisia rutifolia essential oil is novel.

## Key findings

- Camphor, 1,8-cineole, and 4-phenylbutan-2-one are dominant compounds in the essential oil.
- Seven new 4-phenylbut-2-yl esters were identified through combinatorial synthesis.
- The oil's chemotype is distinct due to the absence of α- and β-thujones and its fresh-fruity aroma.

## Abstract

Most species belonging to the genus Artemisia are aromatic plants showing a broad diversity in their essential oil composition. Artemisia rutifolia, traditionally used in folk medicine, exhibits an atypical chemotype characterized by a high concentration of phenylbutanoids, in contrast to the profiles observed in other specimens of the same species. This study aimed to provide an in-depth chemical characterization of the phenylbutanoid-rich essential oil of A. rutifolia obtained from samples collected in the Middle Gobi province of Mongolia. Particular attention was devoted to the identification of the minor phenylbutanoids and a preliminary determination of the main contributors to the odor of the oil. Hence, the essential oil was fractionated by column chromatography and subjected to GC-MS/FID and GC-O/FID analyses. Camphor, 1,8-cineole, and 4-phenylbutan-2-one were identified as the dominant compounds, the latter being the main odorant responsible for the typical fresh-fruity smell of the plant. Moreover, α- and β-thujones were absent, and seven previously unreported 4-phenylbut-2-yl esters were unambiguously identified through combinatorial synthesis. These findings highlight the chemical distinctiveness of the Middle Gobi chemotype and support its potential for industrial essential oil production due to its high yield, lack of thujones, and pleasant fresh aroma.