α-Vetivone is an organic compound that is classified as a sesquiterpene (derived from three isoprene units). It is a major component of the oil of vetiver, which is used to prepare certain high value perfumes.

α-Vetivone
Names
IUPAC name
4α,5α-Eremophila-1(10),7(11)-dien-2-one
Systematic IUPAC name
(4R,4aS)-4,4a-Dimethyl-6-(propan-2-ylidene)-4,4a,5,6,7,8-hexahydronaphthalen-2(3H)-one
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.036.217 Edit this at Wikidata
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C15H22O/c1-10(2)12-5-6-13-8-14(16)7-11(3)15(13,4)9-12/h8,11H,5-7,9H2,1-4H3/t11-,15+/m1/s1
    Key: NIIPDXITZPFFTE-ABAIWWIYSA-N
  • InChI=1/C15H22O/c1-10(2)12-5-6-13-8-14(16)7-11(3)15(13,4)9-12/h8,11H,5-7,9H2,1-4H3/t11-,15+/m1/s1
    Key: NIIPDXITZPFFTE-ABAIWWIYBZ
  • O=C2\C=C1\CC/C(=C(/C)C)C[C@@]1(C)[C@H](C)C2
Properties
C15H22O
Molar mass 218.335
Appearance colourless solid
Density 0.962 g/mL
Boiling point 270.5 °C (518.9 °F; 543.6 K)
practically insoluble
Solubility in ethanol soluble
Solubility in diethyl ether soluble
Related compounds
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

α-Vetivone is isolated by steam distillation of the roots of the grass Vetiveria zizanioides. Two other components of this distillate are the sesquiterpenes khusimol and β-vetivone shown below.[1]

References

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  1. ^ Karl-Georg Fahlbusch, Franz-Josef Hammerschmidt, Johannes Panten, Wilhelm Pickenhagen, Dietmar Schatkowski, Kurt Bauer, Dorothea Garbe, Horst Surburg "Flavors and Fragrances" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim: 2002. Published online: 15 January 2003; doi:10.1002/14356007.a11_141.