(
Z)-α-Santalol, which has a unique woody odor, is a main constituent of sandalwood essential oil. We investigated the structure-odor relationship of (
Z)-α-santalol and its derivatives, focusing on the relationship between the structure of the side chain and the odor
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(
Z)-α-Santalol, which has a unique woody odor, is a main constituent of sandalwood essential oil. We investigated the structure-odor relationship of (
Z)-α-santalol and its derivatives, focusing on the relationship between the structure of the side chain and the odor of the compounds. Various α-santalol derivatives (aldehydes, formates, and acetates) were synthesized from (
Z)- and (
E)-α-santalol, which were prepared from (+)-3-bromocamphor through modifications of a reported synthetic route. The
Z- and
E-isomers of α-santalols have different double-bond configurations in the side chain. Analogues with saturated side chains were also prepared from the corresponding α-santalols, and the odors of the all the prepared compounds were evaluated. We found that the odors of the
Z-isomers (woody) were similar to those of the corresponding saturated compounds, but clearly different from the odors of the corresponding
E-isomers (odorless, fresh, or fatty). These results indicate that the relative configuration of the side chain with respect to the santalane frame plays an important role in the odor of α-santalol.
E-configuration in the side chain eliminates the woody odor character of α-santalol and its examined derivatives, whereas the
Z-configuration or saturation of the carbon side chain does not.
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