Fragrances

Question 1

What are essential oils?

Answer 1

1. Essential oils are concentrated extracts of volatile, non-water soluble aroma compounds, which come from plants.
2. Often used in perfumes, cosmetic products, cleaning products and as flavourings.

Question 2

What are terpenes?

Answer 2

Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons. They are made from isoprene units bonding together.

Question 3

What happens when terpenes are oxidised?

Answer 3

When oxidised, terpenes release the distinctive aroma found in spices.

Question 4

What is isoprene?

Answer 4

1. 2-methylbuta-1,3-diene
2. To state the number of isoprenes in a terpene, count the number of carbon atoms and divide by 5.