Carvone

Carvone (stress on the syllable: carvone ) is a monocyclic monoterpene ketone and a constituent of essential oils. There are two enantiomers, (S) - ( ) - carvone, [ also known as D-( ) -carvone or a short ( )- carvone hereinafter], and the ( R) - ( -)- carvone, [ also known as L- (-)- carvone or short (-)- carvone referred ].

Occurrence

In nature, all enantiomeric forms of carvone occur. Thus, ( S) - ( )- carvone in caraway oil (about 94 percent), dill oil and mandarin peel. The (R )-enantiomer is found in spearmint and Kuromojiöl. The ginger grass oil contains both enantiomeric forms of carvone (racemate ).

Properties

Like all chiral fragrances also includes carvone smell different types of its enantiomers. The (S ) - ( )- carvone has a caraway smell, its mirror image ( R) - ( -)- carvone smells like spearmint. Carvone has antiseptic -resistant.

Safety

( R) - ( -)- carvone is allergenic.