Illustrated Glossary of Organic Chemistry

Camphor: The bridged bicyclic terpenoid natural product with molecular structure shown below. IUPAC name 1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one.

Bond-line structural representation of camphor's molecular structure.


Camphor has a high vapor pressure. Solid camphor and its vapor have antimicrobial and local analgesic properties and so camphor is used in many over-the-counter medicines.