Terpenes are widespread in nature, mainly in plants as constituents of essential oils. Many terpenes are hydrocarbons, but oxygen-containing compounds such as alcohols, aldehydes or ketones (terpenoids) are also found. Their building block is the hydrocarbon isoprene, CH2=C(CH3)-CH=CH2.
Isoprene
Terpene hydrocarbons therefore have molecular formulas (C5H8)n, they are classified according to the number of isoprene units:
number of isoprene units
monoterpenes 2
sesquiterpenes 3
diterpenes 4
triterpenes 6
tetraterpenes 8
Examples of monoterpenes are: pinene, nerol, citral, camphor, menthol, limonene. Examples of sesquiterpenes are: nerolidol, farnesol. Examples of diterpenes are: phytol, vitamin A1. Squalene is an example of a triterpene, and carotene (provitamin A1) is a tetraterpene.
Monoterpenes- (Cherries, citrus fruit peel oils, caraway, dill, spearmint, lemongrass) – Lower risk of breast, skin, liver, lung, stomach, and pancreas cancers.
Professional Herbalism Certificate Course Module 3 by KP Khalsa, page 188.