Terpineol

Terpineol is any of four isomeric monoterpenoids. Terpenoids are terpene that are modified by the addition of a functional group, in this case, an alcohol. Terpineols have been isolated from a variety of sources such as cardamom, cajuput oil, pine oil, and petitgrain oil. Four isomers exist: α-terpineol, β-terpineol, γ-terpineol, and terpinen-4-ol. β-Terpineol and γ-terpineol differ only by the location of the double bond. Terpineol is usually a mixture of these isomers with α-terpineol as the major constituent. Terpineol has a pleasant odor similar to lilac and is a common ingredient in perfumes, cosmetics, and flavors. α-Terpineol is one of the two most abundant aroma constituents of lapsang souchong tea; the α-terpineol originates in the pine smoke used to dry the tea. (+)-α-Terpineol is a chemical constituent of skullcap. α-Terpineol has an aroma described as "pine, terpenic, lilac, citrus, woody, floral, resinous, cooling, lemon, lime". Whilst both enantiomers of α-terpineol exhibit a floral lilac aroma, the laevo form (−)-α-terpineol, is reportedly more terpenic. The aroma of β-terpineol is described as "pungent, earthy, woody".. The aroma of γ-terpineol is "pine, floral, lilac".