The Scent of Roses and Beyond: Molecular Structures, Analysis, and Practical Applications of Odorants

A few odorous compounds found in roses are chosen to arouse the reader's interest in their molecular structures. This article differs from some similar reports on odorants mainly by combining the structural description with the presentation of the following types of isomers: constitutional isom...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of chemical education 2011-11, Vol.88 (11), p.1501-1506
Main Authors: Mannschreck, Albrecht, von Angerer, Erwin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analytical chemistry
Chemistry
College Science
College students
Distillation
Distilled water
Enantiomers
Flowers & plants
Gas chromatography
Isomers
Mass spectrometry
Molecular Structure
Odorants
Odors
Olfactory Perception
Organic chemistry
Plants (Botany)
Rose oxide
Science Instruction
Undergraduate Students
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Summary:A few odorous compounds found in roses are chosen to arouse the reader's interest in their molecular structures. This article differs from some similar reports on odorants mainly by combining the structural description with the presentation of the following types of isomers: constitutional isomers, enantiomers, and diastereomers. The preparation of rose oils by distillation of blossoms with water and the analysis of the oils by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry are briefly described. 2-Phenylethanol, β-ionone, β-damascone, β-damascenone, citronellol, rose oxide, geraniol, and nerol are the most important odorous components of many rose species. Beyond these, a few additional isomers of odorants and the practical applications of fragrance materials are briefly presented. The natural or synthetic origin of an odorous compound is economically relevant, but its activity does not depend upon its origin. This article is recommended as a lesson on the relationship between molecular structure and odor for chemistry students in their second year at university.
ISSN:0021-9584
1938-1328
DOI:10.1021/ed100629v