Dihydrocarvone

While the dihydrocarvones are of lesser importance as fragrance and flavor materials than their parent chemicals, (−) and (+)-carvone, the optically corresponding dihydrocarvones (as well as the racemate) are interesting aroma chemicals. The odorous properties of this group of ketones are generally described as a combination of carvone and menthone fragrances.

Among the dihydrocarvones the cis-(−)-dihydrocarvone is of specific interest. It has a diffuse, powerful odor with a herbaceous bynote. Its odor resembles that of (+)-carvone but is milder and sweeter than its parent chemical.

The dihydrocarvones are also found in nature where they are present for example in caraway seed and dill seed oils. They are available in high purity.

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