Nerolidol, also known as peruviol and penetrol , is a naturally occurring sesquiterpene alcohol. A colorless liquid, it is found in the essential oils of many types of plants and flowers. There are four

isomer In chemistry, isomers are molecules or polyatomic ions with identical molecular formula – that is, the same number of atoms of each element (chemistry), element – but distinct arrangements of atoms in space. ''Isomerism'' refers to the exi ...

s of nerolidol', which differ in the geometry about the central double bond and configuration of the hydroxyl-bearing carbon, but most applications use such a mixture. The aroma of nerolidol is woody and reminiscent of fresh bark. It is used as a flavoring agent and in perfumery as well as in non-cosmetic products such as detergents and cleansers. Nerolidyl derivatives include nerolidyl diphosphate and the fragrance nerolidyl acetate.

Synthesis and occurrence

Nerolidol is produced commercially from geranylacetone, e.g., by the addition of vinyl Grignard reagent. It is used as a source of farnesol,

vitamin E Vitamin E is a group of eight compounds related in molecular structure that includes four tocopherols and four tocotrienols. The tocopherols function as fat-soluble antioxidants which may help protect cell membranes from reactive oxygen speci ...

, and vitamin K1. GeranylacetoneToFarnesolviaNerolidol

Significant sources of natural nerolidol is Cabreuva oil and the oil of ''Dalbergia parviflora''. It is also present in neroli,

ginger Ginger (''Zingiber officinale'') is a flowering plant whose rhizome, ginger root or ginger, is widely used as a spice and a folk medicine. It is an herbaceous perennial that grows annual pseudostems (false stems made of the rolled bases of l ...

, jasmine, lavender, tea tree, '' Cannabis sativa'', and lemon grass, and is a dominant scent compound in '' Brassavola nodosa''.

References

{{reflist Tertiary alcohols Perfume ingredients Flavors Sesquiterpenes

Synthesis and occurrence

See also

References