The present invention relates to the formulations of ester derivatives of sandalwood oil and santalol. These derivatives are capable of reverting to the active parent compound following enzymatic or chemical hydrolysis. These derivatives have a higher lipophilicity, lipid solubility and less irritation to the skin than the parent compound, and hence are better able to be incorporated into certain pharmaceutical formulations, including cream and ointment pharmaceutical formulations. The compounds of the present invention are set forth by the following formula: The present invention generally pertains to a compound of formula (I): R—CO—SWO (I) wherein SWO refers to collectively the alcohols, including santalol, present in the sandalwood oil; wherein R is selected from alkyl groups of up to about 22 carbon atoms and aryl groups of up to about 22 carbon atoms and alkylene group of up to about 22 carbon atoms and an arylene group of up to about 22 carbon atoms. The alkyl, aryl and alkylene groups may be substituted or unsubstituted, branched or straight chains. In addition, R may contain heteroatoms and may be straight chained or branched. Compounds of formula I are useful as anti-bacterial and anti-viral in mammals in vivo and have been contemplated to be used in the treatment of skin disease.
