Cis-3-Hexen-1-ol

Summary

cis-3-Hexen-1-ol, also known as (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol and leaf alcohol, is a colorless oily liquid with an intense grassy-green odor of freshly cut green grass and leaves. It is produced in small amounts by most plants and it acts as an attractant to many predatory insects. cis-3-Hexen-1-ol is a very important aroma compound that is used in fruit and vegetable flavors and in perfumes. The yearly production is about 30 tonnes.

cis-3-Hexen-1-ol
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
(3Z)-Hex-3-en-1-ol
Identifiers
  • 928-96-1 checkY
3D model (JSmol)
  • Interactive image
ChEBI
  • CHEBI:28857 checkY
ChemSpider
  • 21105914 checkY
ECHA InfoCard 100.011.994 Edit this at Wikidata
EC Number
  • 231-192-8
KEGG
  • C08492 checkY
  • 5281167
RTECS number
  • MP8400000
UNII
  • V14F8G75P4 checkY
  • DTXSID6022137 Edit this at Wikidata
  • InChI=1S/C6H12O/c1-2-3-4-5-6-7/h3-4,7H,2,5-6H2,1H3/b4-3- checkY
    Key: UFLHIIWVXFIJGU-ARJAWSKDSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/C6H12O/c1-2-3-4-5-6-7/h3-4,7H,2,5-6H2,1H3/b4-3-
    Key: UFLHIIWVXFIJGU-ARJAWSKDBI
  • CC\C=C/CCO
Properties
C6H12O
Molar mass 100.159 g/mol
Appearance colorless liquid
Density 0.846 g/cm3
Melting point −61 °C (−78 °F; 212 K)
Boiling point 156.5 °C (313.7 °F; 429.6 K)
very slightly soluble
Solubility soluble in ethanol, ether
Hazards
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704 four-colored diamondHealth 0: Exposure under fire conditions would offer no hazard beyond that of ordinary combustible material. E.g. sodium chlorideFlammability 2: Must be moderately heated or exposed to relatively high ambient temperature before ignition can occur. Flash point between 38 and 93 °C (100 and 200 °F). E.g. diesel fuelInstability 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g. liquid nitrogenSpecial hazards (white): no code
0
2
0
Flash point 44 °C (111 °F)
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
4700 mg/kg (rat, oral)
Safety data sheet (SDS) External MSDS
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Infobox references

cis-3-Hexen-1-ol is an alcohol and its esters are also important flavor and fragrance raw materials. The related aldehyde cis-3-hexenal (leaf aldehyde) has a similar and even stronger smell but is relatively unstable and isomerizes into the conjugated trans-2-hexenal.

This compound has been recognized as a semiochemical involved in mechanisms and behaviors of attraction in diverse animals such as insects and mammals. However, there is no scientific evidence of its aphrodisiac effects in humans. The popular Mexican alcoholic beverage, mezcal, is found to have enhanced concentrations of this compound when a maguey worm is served in the glass.

Human odor perception edit

A pair of two single-nucleotide polymorphisms, both in the gene for the OR2J3 odor receptor, strongly reduce sensitivity to this odorant.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ McRae JF, Mainland JD, Jaeger SR, Adipietro KA, Matsunami H, Newcomb RD (2012). "Genetic Variation in the Odorant Receptor OR2J3 is Associated with the Ability to Detect the "Grassy" Smelling Odor, cis-3-hexen-1-ol". Chemical Senses. 37 (7): 585–593. doi:10.1093/chemse/bjs049. PMC 3408771. PMID 22714804.

External links edit

  • Pheromone database
  • Molecule of the Month: Hexenal
  • That Worm at the Bottom of Your Mezcal Isn’t a Total Lie