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. It is prized for its intensely fresh, green, and natural character. And it is essential for creating authentic fruit, vegetable, and herbal flavour profiles. In fragrance formulation, cis-3-hexen-1-ol is essential for creating green, fresh, and outdoor-inspired scents, appearing in iconic perfumes such as Chanel No. 19 and Cristalle.
It has been evaluated by FDA, JECFA and International Fragrance Association. The global production volume is about 3000 tonnes. Major cis-3-hexenol manufacturers include ZEON, NHU, and some Chinese companies like Sinofi. 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.
Human odor perception A pair of two single-nucleotide polymorphisms, both in the gene for the OR2J3 odor receptor, strongly reduce sensitivity to this odorant.
References
External links Pheromone database Molecule of the Month: Hexenal That Worm at the Bottom of Your Mezcal Isn’t a Total Lie