Chemical Properties
Clear colorless to slightly yellow liquid
Definition
ChEBI: A limonene monoterpenoid that is cyclohex-2-en-1-ol substituted by a methyl group at position 2 and a prop-1-en-2-yl group at position 5.
General Description
Clear colorless liquid. Insoluble in water.
Air & Water Reactions
Insoluble in water.
Reactivity Profile
Flammable and/or toxic gases are generated by the combination of alcohols with alkali metals, nitrides, and strong reducing agents. They react with oxoacids and carboxylic acids to form esters plus water. Oxidizing agents convert them to aldehydes or ketones. Alcohols exhibit both weak acid and weak base behavior. They may initiate the polymerization of isocyanates and epoxides.
Health Hazard
ACUTE/CHRONIC HAZARDS: Toxic.
Occurrence
In small amounts, sometimes esterified, it has been reported present in caraway seeds, spearmint, orange juice,
mango and eucalyptus oil.
Uses
Carveol, is a constituent of spearmint essential oil in the form of cis-(?)-carveol. It can be used as a fragrance ingredient, and as a flavor additive in the food industry. It is also found that its alpha-trans-dihydroxy derivative, possesses potent antiparkinsonian activity in animal models.
Aroma threshold values
Detection: 4 ppm
Synthesis
The various d-, l- and dl- (cis- and trans-, respectively) forms have been prepared synthetically and isolated by means of
the dinitrobenzoates according to Amvers’ law. They are prepared by oxidation of limonene or, better, from carvone.
