Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 18, 2026

Rose oxide

Rose oxide is a fragrance chemical found in roses and rose oil. It also contributes to the flavor of some fruits, such as lychee, and wines, such as Gewürztraminer.

Last revised
Jul 18, 2026
Read time
≈ 2 min
Length
386 w
Citations
7
Source
Rose oxide
source ↗
Names
IUPAC name
Tetrahydro-4-methyl-2-(2-methylpropenyl)-2H-pyran
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.036.763
EC Number
  • 240-457-5
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C10H18O/c1-8(2)6-10-7-9(3)4-5-11-10/h6,9-10H,4-5,7H2,1-3H3
    Key: CZCBTSFUTPZVKJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • (−)-cis: InChI=1S/C10H18O/c1-8(2)6-10-7-9(3)4-5-11-10/h6,9-10H,4-5,7H2,1-3H3/t9-,10-/m1/s1
    Key: CZCBTSFUTPZVKJ-NXEZZACHSA-N
  • (−)-trans: InChI=1S/C10H18O/c1-8(2)6-10-7-9(3)4-5-11-10/h6,9-10H,4-5,7H2,1-3H3/t9-,10+/m1/s1
    Key: CZCBTSFUTPZVKJ-ZJUUUORDSA-N
  • (+)-cis: InChI=1S/C10H18O/c1-8(2)6-10-7-9(3)4-5-11-10/h6,9-10H,4-5,7H2,1-3H3/t9-,10-/m0/s1
    Key: CZCBTSFUTPZVKJ-UWVGGRQHSA-N
  • (+)-trans: InChI=1S/C10H18O/c1-8(2)6-10-7-9(3)4-5-11-10/h6,9-10H,4-5,7H2,1-3H3/t9-,10+/m0/s1
    Key: CZCBTSFUTPZVKJ-VHSXEESVSA-N
  • CC1CCOC(C1)C=C(C)C
  • (−)-cis: C[C@@H]1CCO[C@@H](C1)C=C(C)C
  • (−)-trans: C[C@@H]1CCO[C@H](C1)C=C(C)C
  • (+)-cis: C[C@H]1CCO[C@H](C1)C=C(C)C
  • (+)-trans: C[C@H]1CCO[C@@H](C1)C=C(C)C
Properties
C10H18O
Molar mass 154.25 g/mol
Density 0.875 g/cm3
Boiling point 230 °C (446 °F; 503 K)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Rose oxide1 is a fragrance chemical found in roses and rose oil.23 It also contributes to the flavor of some fruits, such as lychee,4 and wines, such as Gewürztraminer.

Chemistry

Rose oxide is an organic compound of the pyran class of monoterpenes. The compound has a cis- and a trans-isomer, each with a (+)- and (−)-stereoisomer, but only the (−)-cis isomer (odor threshold 0.5 ppb) is responsible for the typical rose (floral green) fragrance.56

Rose oxide isomers

Production

Rose oxide can be produced industrially beginning with photooxygenation of citronellol to give the allyl hydroperoxide which is then reduced with sodium sulfite to provide the diol. Ring-closure with sulfuric acid forms both the cis- and trans-isomers in equal amounts.7

Rose oxide synthesis
References

References

  1. Ghodsi, Mohammadi Ziarani; Fatemeh, Mohajer; Seyedh, Mahboobeh Jamali; Nader, Ale Ebrahim (2020-11-30). "Quantitative and Qualitative Bibliometric Scope Toward the Synthesis of Rose Oxide as a Natural Product in Perfumery". Current Organic Synthesis. 17 (8): 610–624. doi:10.2174/1872208314666200722161044. PMID 32703138. S2CID 220731373.
  2. "alpha-laevo-rose oxide". scentsandflavors.com. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  3. "beta-(-)-(E)-rose oxide". scentsandflavors.com. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  4. "(Z)-rose oxide". scentsandflavors.com. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  5. Dieter Martinetz und Roland Hartwig: Taschenlehrbuch der Riechstoffe: ein Lexikon von A–Z. Verlag Harri Deutsch 1998; ISBN 3-8171-1539-3; S. 330ff.
  6. "alpha-laevo-rose oxide". scentsandflavors.com. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  7. Alsters, P. L.; Jary, W. .; Nardello-Rataj, V.; Aubry, J. M. (2010). ""Dark" Singlet Oxygenation of β-Citronellol: A Key Step in the Manufacture of Rose Oxide". Organic Process Research & Development. 14: 259–262. doi:10.1021/op900076g.