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.
See also: carotenes, carotenoids, isoprenoids, prenols, retinoids, steroids, terpenoids
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)