(R)-(-)-linalyl acetate and (S)-(-)-germacrene D from the leaves of Mexican Bursera linanoe.

The leaf volatile components of Mexican Bursera linanoe were identified as (R)-(-)-linalyl acetate (57.6%; 95.5% ee) and (S)-(-)-germacrene D (39.3%; 100% ee) by solvent extraction and GC-MS and chiral GC analyses. Linalool was previously reported as the major component from the leaves of B. linanoe. However, we believe that this is a decomposition product of linalyl acetate during steam distillation, a common method for extraction of essential oils. The chemically unique blend in the leaves of B. linanoe may act as a chemical barrier against its potential herbivores, Blepharida beetles that have a tendency for attacking chemically similar plants as hosts.