jasmonyl

Jasmonyl is a chemical moiety derived from jasmonic acid, a plant hormone involved in growth, development, and stress responses. The jasmonyl group consists of a C11 unsaturated carboxylic acid backbone with a α,β‑unsaturated carbonyl system that can form ester or amide linkages, enabling conjugation with various sugars, amino acids, and other phenolic compounds. In its free acid form, jasmonyl displays moderate acidity (pKa approximately 4.5) and can engage in Michael addition reactions with nucleophiles, a feature exploited in synthetic chemistry.

Biologically, jasmonyl acts as a core signaling unit in the jasmonate pathway. Upon wounding or pathogen attack, precursor compounds are converted to jasmonyl, which then travels through the phloem to target tissues. It modulates transcription factors such as MYC2, leading to the induction of defense genes, secondary metabolite production, and the synthesis of lipids involved in cuticle formation. The jasmonyl motif is also present in conjugates like jasmonyl-isoleucine, which enhance hormone transport and stability.

In agriculture, jasmonyl analogs are investigated as eco-friendly pesticides and growth regulators. Synthetic jasmonyl derivatives can induce resistance in crops without the need for chemical pesticides. Research also explores jasmonyl-modified polymers for controlled release of plant hormones in precision agriculture.

Overall, jasmonyl is a small yet versatile functional group central to plant physiology and a promising scaffold in agrochemical development.