Synthesis of Polyfunctional Terpenoids from Monoterpenes and N-(2-Mercaptopropyonyl)glycine

Addition of N-(2-mercaptopropyonyl)glycine to (+)-limonene or (-)--pinene in the presence of a Lewis acid involves the mercapto group; simultaneously, the carboxyl function is esterified by ethanol used as solvent. Both reactions give rise to a terpenoid of the menthane structure, which contains, along with a sulfide group, a peptide fragment promising in terms of biologic activity, as well as an ester group.