ISOMERISM IN QUATERNARY AMMONIUM DERIVATIVES OF (+)-LIMONENE AND ITS EFFECT ON PLANT GROWTH

Three similar mixtures of quaternary ammonium alcohol derivatives of p-menthane prepared separately from (+)-limonene and (—)-limonene were tested for growth-retardant activity on young bean plants. Optical activity had no apparent influence on growth of the second internode of test plants and dextro, levo, and racemic mixtures proved equally effective. Three pure geometrically isomeric benzyl quaternary ammonium alcohol derivatives of Δ8(9)-p-menthene prepared from (+)-limonene had different growth-retardant activities which were additive in their mixtures. © 1969, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.