Planta Med. 2002 Oct; 68(10): 949-50.

The guaiol color reaction.

Waddell TG, Arp NW, Bodine KD, Pagni RM.

Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN 37403, USA. [email protected]

The common and biogenetically important sesquiterpene guaiol yields a deep purple color when treated with electrophilic bromine reagents. This interesting color reaction was observed over fifty years ago, but the chemistry of this process has not been investigated. Herein, we present the chemistry of the guaiol color reaction.