Term: terpenes
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.T06278

Definition:
hydrocarbons of biological origin having carbon skeletons formally derived from isoprene [CH2=C(CH3)CH=CH2]. This class is subdivided into the C5 hemiterpenes, C10 monoterpenes, C15 sesquiterpenes, C20 diterpenes, C25 sesterterpenes, C30 triterpenes, C40 tetraterpenes (carotenoids) and C5n polyterpenes.

Related Terms:
1) carotenes (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C00857).
2) carotenoids (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C00858).
3) isoprenoids (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.I03306).
4) prenols (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.P04816).
5) retinoids (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.R05369).
6) steroids (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.S06005).
7) terpenoids (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.T06279).
8) hydrocarbons (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.H02889).

Source: PAC, 1995, 67, 1307. 'Glossary of class names of organic compounds and reactivity intermediates based on structure (IUPAC Recommendations 1995)' on page 1371 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199567081307)

Citation: 'terpenes' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.T06278

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