''cis''-3-Hexen-1-ol
Names | |
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IUPAC name
(Z)-Hex-3-en-1-ol | |
Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) |
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ChEBI | |
ChemSpider | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.011.994 |
EC Number | 231-192-8 |
KEGG | |
PubChem CID |
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RTECS number | MP8400000 |
UNII | |
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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 | |
Safety data sheet | External MSDS |
NFPA 704 | |
Flash point | 44 °C (111 °F) |
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC): | |
LD50 (median dose) |
4700 mg/kg (rat, oral) |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
verify (what is ?) | |
Infobox references | |
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 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 pheromone 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.
External links
- Pheromone database
- Molecule of the Month: Hexenal
- That Worm at the Bottom of Your Mezcal Isn’t a Total Liel