2octen1ol

2octen-1-ol is an organic compound with the chemical formula C8H16O. It is an unsaturated alcohol, meaning it contains a carbon-carbon double bond and a hydroxyl group. Specifically, it has a double bond at the second carbon position and a primary alcohol group at the first carbon position of an eight-carbon chain. This compound exists as isomers due to the position and geometry of the double bond. The most common forms are (E)-2-octen-1-ol and (Z)-2-octen-1-ol, referring to the cis or trans configuration around the double bond.

2octen-1-ol is a colorless to pale yellow liquid with a characteristic odor. It is sparingly soluble in water but miscible with many organic solvents. Its physical properties, such as boiling point and density, vary slightly between the E and Z isomers. This compound is found naturally in some plants and is a component of essential oils.

Industrially, 2octen-1-ol can be synthesized through various chemical routes, often involving the reduction of corresponding aldehydes or esters. Its applications are primarily in the flavor and fragrance industry, where it contributes green, grassy, or fatty notes to perfumes and food flavorings. It can also serve as an intermediate in the synthesis of other organic compounds. Due to its role in olfactory perception, it is studied in the context of aroma chemistry.