Daphnane
/ˈdæfneɪn/noun
A carbon skeleton and class of diterpenes found chiefly in plants of the genus Daphne and related members of the Thymelaeaceae family.
Did you know?Many daphnane-type diterpenes are intensely bioactive and can be toxic or skin-irritating, especially those associated with Daphne and related plants.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
δάφνη (dáphnē)
“Laurel; the name was also associated with the mythological nymph Daphne, who was transformed into a laurel tree.”
Classical Latin
Latin
daphne
“Laurel, and later the name of a plant identified with the laurel-like shrub Daphne.”
1753
Botanical Latin
Daphne
“The genus name established by Carl Linnaeus for the laurel-like shrubs and trees now placed in the family Thymelaeaceae.”
20th Century
Scientific English
daphnane
“A diterpene carbon skeleton named for its occurrence in or association with Daphne and related plants.”
Modern English
English
daphnane
“A technical term for the characteristic molecular framework found in daphnane-type diterpenes.”