Anisole is to anise seed as 2-Acetyl-1-pyrroline is to ???

January 21, 2009 5:52 AM

Is there a descriptive list of aromatic compounds that is more complete than this wikipedia article? i.e. cis-3-Hexen-1-ol (fresh cut grass), Oct-1-en-3-one (blood, metallic, mushroom-like)

I'm looking for the most complete list of aromatic compounds and their perceived analogous smells. If I need to compile my own list then books, websites, wine tasting guides, anything would be welcome.

posted by Infernarl to Science & Nature (4 answers total)

Not an answer, but you should probably avoid using the term "aromatic" in this way. "Aromatic" has a technical meaning in chemistry which is far different than "odiferous." While some aromatic compounds are odiferous, three of the four examples you cite (including those in the title) are not aromatic in the chemical sense.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 6:27 AM on January 21, 2009

Steffen Arctander's 2-volume Perfume and Flavor Chemicals is a classic catalogue, but was published back in the '60s.

Glen O. Brechbill's The Art of Fragrance Ingredients is a more up-to-date listing.
posted by misteraitch at 7:18 AM on January 21, 2009

The Brechbill book looks like your best bet.

A list of odor qualities and odorants used in olfactory neuroscience is available from the Leon Lab at UC Irvine.
posted by mbd1mbd1 at 7:59 AM on January 21, 2009

You could check out pherobase mostly animal pheromones but with some plant extracts in there as well.
posted by Captain_Science at 2:06 PM on January 21, 2009