Gyrinal is an organic chemical compound  - an unsaturated ketoaldehyde - with the formula C14H18O3, obtained from the whirligig beetle (the water boatman, Gyrinus natator). It is a powerful antiseptic and fish and mammal toxin, and thus used as a defensive compound. Typically the beetles contain approx. 80 microgram of the compound. The LD50 of the compound is approx. 45 mg/kg in mice.

Gyrinal
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
(2E,6E,9E)-3,7-Dimethyl-8,11-dioxododeca-2,6,9-trienal
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C14H18O3/c1-11(9-10-15)5-4-6-12(2)14(17)8-7-13(3)16/h6-10H,4-5H2,1-3H3/b8-7+,11-9+,12-6+ ☒N
    Key: PQXIJIXNDRFJBT-WWUHPALESA-N ☒N
  • InChI=1/C14H18O3/c1-11(9-10-15)5-4-6-12(2)14(17)8-7-13(3)16/h6-10H,4-5H2,1-3H3/b8-7+,11-9+,12-6+
    Key: PQXIJIXNDRFJBT-WWUHPALEBW
  • O=C(\C=C\C(=O)/C(=C/CC\C(=C\C=O)C)C)C
Properties
C14H18O3
Molar mass 234.29 g/mol
Melting point 0 °C (32 °F; 273 K)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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References

edit
  • Schildknecht, H. (1976). "Chemical Ecology - A Chapter of Modern Natural Products Chemistry". Angewandte Chemie International Edition in English. 15 (4): 214–222. doi:10.1002/anie.197602141.