Ionone

Ionones
Ball-and-stick model of the alpha-ionone molecule
alpha-ionone
Ball-and-stick model of the beta-ionone molecule
Ball-and-stick model of the beta-ionone molecule
beta-ionone
Ball-and-stick model of the gamma-ionone molecule
gamma-ionone
Names
IUPAC names
α: (3E)-4-(2,6,6-Trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-yl)but-3-en-2-one
β: (3E)-4-(2,6,6-Trimethylcyclohex-1-en-1-yl)but-3-en-2-one
γ: (3E)-4-(2,2-Dimethyl-6-methylenecyclohexyl)but-3-en-2-one
Other names
Cyclocitrylideneacetone, irisone, jonon
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChemSpider
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C13H20O/c1-10-6-5-9-13(3,4)12(10)8-7-11(2)14/h7-8,12H,1,5-6,9H2,2-4H3/b8-7+ checkY
    Key: SFEOKXHPFMOVRM-BQYQJAHWSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/C13H20O/c1-10-6-5-9-13(3,4)12(10)8-7-11(2)14/h7-8,12H,1,5-6,9H2,2-4H3/b8-7+
    Key: SFEOKXHPFMOVRM-BQYQJAHWBW
  • O=C(\C=C\C1\C(=C)CCCC1(C)C)C
Properties
C13H20O
Molar mass 192.30 g/mol
Density α: 0.933 g/cm3
β: 0.945 g/cm3
Melting point β: −49 °C (−56 °F; 224 K)
Boiling point β: 126 to 128 °C (259 to 262 °F; 399 to 401 K) at 12 mmHg
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
☒N verify (what is checkY☒N ?)

The ionones, from greek ἴον ion "violet",[1] are a series of closely related chemical substances that are part of a group of compounds known as rose ketones, which also includes damascones and damascenones. Ionones are aroma compounds found in a variety of essential oils, including rose oil. β-Ionone is a significant contributor to the aroma of roses, despite its relatively low concentration, and is an important fragrance chemical used in perfumery.[2] The ionones are derived from the degradation of carotenoids.

The combination of α-ionone and β-ionone is characteristic of the scent of violets and used with other components in perfumery and flavouring to recreate their scent.[3][4]

The carotenes α-carotene, β-carotene, γ-carotene, and the xanthophyll β-cryptoxanthin, can all be metabolized to β-ionone, and thus have vitamin A activity because they can be converted by plant-eating animals to retinol and retinal. Carotenoids that do not contain the β-ionone moiety cannot be converted to retinol, and thus have no vitamin A activity.

  1. ^ Genaust, Helmut (1976). Etymologisches Wörterbuch der botanischen Pflanzennamen. doi:10.1007/978-3-0348-7650-6. ISBN 978-3-0348-7651-3.
  2. ^ Leffingwell, JC (3 February 2005). "Rose (Rosa damascena)". Aroma from Carotenoids - Rose. Leffingwell & Associates. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  3. ^ Curtis, T; Williams, DG (2001). Introduction to Perfumery (2nd ed.). Fort Washington, New York: Micelle Press. ISBN 9781870228244.
  4. ^ Jensen, B (6 February 2010). "Violet". Essential Oils. Retrieved 14 January 2014.