The short synthesis of α-thujone relies on the functionalization of the readily available dimethylfulvene. Furthermore, the three main metabolites of the natural product were also synthesized. Since d-acetone can be used as a starting material, the route developed allows for the facile incorporation of isotopic labels which are required for detecting and quantifying trace amounts via GC/MS analysis.

The metabolism of the monoterpene α-thujone was investigated in humans after consumption of sage tea, by analyses of its metabolites 2-hydroxythujone, 4-hydroxythujone, and 7-hydroxythujone in urine. For the quantitation of α-thujone and its metabolites, stable isotope dilution assays were developed. Using d6-α-thujone as internal standard, we quantified α-thujone by solid phase microextraction GC-MS and the hydroxythujones with d6-2-hydroxythujone, d6-4-hydroxythujone, and d6-7-hydroxythujone after glucuronide/sulfate deconjugation by LC-MS/MS in urine. After the consumption of 575.0 µg α-thujone, the 4-hydroxythujone and 7-hydroxythujone were detectable in the urine of the volunteers under study, after liberation from their glucuronides/sulfates. The 2-Hydroxythujone was not present in any of the volunteer samples above its detection limit. α-Thujone was detectable in a low amount, with a maximum concentration of 94 ng/L for the volunteer with the highest dose of 14.3 µg/kg bw.