Methyl dihydrojasmonate
Methyl dihydrojasmonate is an aroma compound with an odor similar to that of jasmine. It is a synthetic relative of methyl jasmonate, a naturally occurring compound in floral scents such as jasmine, tuberose and magnolia. In racemic mixtures the odor is floral and citrus, while epimerized mixtures exhibit a dense buttery-floral odor with odor recognition thresholds of 15 parts per billion. Considered one of the compounds responsible for the projection of the scent in living flowers, it was first fully characterised and synthesized between 1957 and 1962 in jasmine absolute by the fragrance chemist Edouard Demole, who was working at Firmenich. and is used in fine fragrances as well as cosmetics, toiletries, and detergents.
Synthesis
Some of the earliest synthesis was based on the selective hydrogenation of methyl jasmonate, which was obtained from natural jasmine oil. However, as this made up <0.8% of the oil, better routes were soon developed. Modern synthesis involves the condensation of cyclopentanone and pentanal, followed by C=C bond isomerisation to give the 2-pentyl-cyclopentenone derivative. Michael reaction of this with dimethyl malonate, followed by decarboxylation gives the desired product.Use in perfumery
The first commercially successful fragrance to utilise hedione was Eau Sauvage, created by the perfumer Edmond Roudnitska for Christian Dior and launched in 1966. Adding hedione to a classically hesperidic fragrance construction created a dewy lemony magnolia-jasmine dimension without being directly floral. This is considered to be the beginning of a new trend in perfumery towards transparency and projection.Etymology
The name hedione is derived from Ancient Greek hēdonḗ, "pleasure".Kharismal is derived from the Greek kharisma, meaning "grace" or "favor".