Nepeta mussini

Eisenbraun EJ, Browne CE, Irvin-Willis RL, McGmrk DJ, Eliel EL, Harris DL (1980) Structure and stereochemistry 4aP,7a,7aP-nepetalactone from Nepeta mussini and its relationship to the 4aa,7a,7aa- and 4aot,7a, 7aP-nepetalactones from N. Cataria. J Org Chem 45 3811-3814... 

Among the monoterpenoid lactones, derivatives of the iridane series 600) have acquired limited importance as aroma substances. Nepetalactone (143) occurs in quantities of up to 78% in American oil of catnip Nepeta cataria L.) 490), while epinepetalactone (144) is the major constituent (70%) of the essential oil of Nepeta mussini L. 490). The essential oil of this species was also found to contain neonepetalactone (146) as well as the two saturated compounds a- and 5-dihydronepetalactones (147) and (148) 490, 518) and 5,9-dehydronepetalactone (145) 528). Both dihydro compounds (147) and (148) are structurally closely related to the iri-domyrmecins from Actinidia polygama 515, 516). Lactones (143) to (150) are aroma compounds which have a strong odor and which exert an attracting effect on Felidae 518, 519). 

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