Alpha-Terpineol

Other comments :

In comparision to other terpenes, Alpha-Terpineol has a distinctive rosy smell.

Stability :

Terpenes tend to polymerize by oxydation.
Very unstable in alkaline functional bases as soap. In this base, its smell in not percievable.

Uses in perfumery :

Alpha-Terpineol is used in perfume detergents and soaps. Used in lavender, lilac, freesia and lily of the valley notes for a clean effect. Used in lemon and other citrus notes, to rise them.

Year of discovery :

Data not available.

Isomerism :

Terpineol is a mixture of isomers. Alpha-Terpineol can be isolated after its synthesis. gamma-Terpineol is majoritarily present in the synthesis result of Terpineol. That's why it is less expensive. Eucalyptol, Geraniol, Nerol and Linalool are some of Terpineol isomers. They do not share the same smell, often more floral or camphorated.

Synthesis precursor :

Alpha-Terpineol is a precursor to the synthesis of several compounds of olfactory interest. A hydrogenation synthesizes para-Menthan-8-ol. It can dehydrate under the action of acids to give a mixture of unsaturated cyclic terpenes. Terpine is obtained in a moderate acid medium. The most carried out reaction from alpha-Terpineol remains its esterification in Terpenyl acetate, with a smell of Bergamot EO.

Natural availability :

Alpha-Terpineol can be extracted from the essential oil of many plants by fractional distillation, such as Camphorated Wormwood EO, Cardamom EO or Clary Sage EO.

Synthesis route :

Alpha-Terpineol is synthesized by a hydration reaction of alpha-Pinene in an acid medium, forming cis-Terpine. A partial dehydration of this compound in an acid medium allows to obtain alpha-Terpineol and several of its isomers. Further conversions from D-Limonene, Delta-3-Carene and Dipentene are possible to obtain synthetic Terpineol.