Linalool

linalool

[lə′näl·ə‚wȯl]

(organic chemistry)

(CH₃)₂C:CH(CH₂)₂CCH₃OHCH:CH₂ A terpene that is a colorless liquid, has a bergamot odor, boils at 195-196°C, and is found in many essential oils, particularly bergamot and rosewood; used as a flavoring agent and in perfumes. Also known as coriandrol.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Linalool

 

2,6-dimethyl-2,7-octadiene-6-ol, a terpene alcohol:

(CH₃)₂CCHCH₂CH₂C(CH₃) (OH) CHCH₂

A colorless liquid with a lavender odor. Boiling point, 198°-200°C; density, 0.862–0.865 g/cm³ at 20°C. Linalool exists in two optically active (+) and (-) forms, as well as the (±) form (a racemic mixture). It is readily converted into geraniol upon action of organic acids and into a mixture of terpineols in the presence of sulfuric acid. Linalool oxidizes to form citral.

Linalool is part of many essential oils (for example, coriandrol) in free form and as esters of acetic acid (linalyl acetate) and butyric acid; the rectification process is used to extract linalool from essential oils. Linalool may also be synthesized from acetylene and isoprene, as well as from α-pinene. Linalool and linalyl acetate are widely used as odoriferous substances in perfume and cosmetics manufacture.

The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition (1970-1979). © 2010 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.