δ-Cadinol exists in nature as either of two enantiomers distinguished by the prefixes (+)- and (−)-. The (+)-isomer was identified by E. Shinozaki in 1922 from the leaves of Torreya nucifera and originally named torreyol. The (−)-isomer was isolated in 1951 by Haagen-Smit and others from Pinus albicaulus and first called albicaulol. Its structure was determined in 1970 by Lars Westfelt. Other names were given to δ-cadinol based on its various biological sources before the structures were confirmed, including sesquigoyol for (+)-δ-cadinol and pilgerol for (−)-δ-cadinol. Lambertol is thought to be either (+)-δ-cadinol or (−)-δ-cadinol. Cedrelanol was originally thought to be identical to (−)-δ-cadinol but was later confirmed to have the structure of τ-cadinol.
Occurrence
δ-Cadinol is produced by the fungus Xylobolus frustulatus as long white needles when grown in maltagar medium. It also occurs in many conifers, and in many other organisms including
↑Lundgren, Lennart; Bergström, Gunnar (1976). "Wing scents and scent-released phases in the courtship behavior of Lycaeides argyrognomon (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)". Journal of Chemical Ecology. 1 (4): 399. doi:10.1007/BF00988581. S2CID37093578.