1-Octen-3-ol
Chemical compound
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
1-Octen-3-ol, octenol for short and also known as mushroom alcohol, is an organic compound with the formula CH2=CHCH(OH)(CH2)4CH3. It is a chiral secondary alcohol. It is a colorless liquid that occurs widely in nature.[1][2]
| Names | |
|---|---|
| Preferred IUPAC name
Oct-1-en-3-ol | |
| Other names
Amyl vinyl carbinol; 1-Vinylhexanol; Matsutake alcohol; Vinyl amyl carbinol; Vinyl hexanol; Matsuica alcohol; Mushroom alcohol; 3-Hydroxy-1-octene; Octenol | |
| Identifiers | |
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3D model (JSmol) |
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| ChEBI |
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| ChEMBL |
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| ChemSpider |
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| DrugBank |
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| ECHA InfoCard | 100.020.206 |
| EC Number |
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| 648361 | |
| KEGG | |
PubChem CID |
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| UNII |
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CompTox Dashboard (EPA) |
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| Properties | |
| C8H16O | |
| Molar mass | 128.215 g·molâ1 |
| Density | 0.837 g/mL |
| Boiling point | 174 ºC at 1 atm |
| Vapor pressure | 0.3 kPa (at 50 °C) |
| Hazards | |
| GHS labelling: | |
| Warning | |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | |
| Flash point | 68 ºC |
| 245 ºC | |
| Explosive limits | 0.9% (low) to 8% (high) |
| Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC): | |
LD50 (median dose) |
340 mg/kg (rat) |
| Safety data sheet (SDS) | Fisher Scientific |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Occurrence
The name "mushroom alcohol" for 1-octen-3-ol comes from it first isolation by S. Murahashi in 1936 and 1938 from crushed matsutake mushrooms.[3][4] A recent study on volatiles of this mushroom has shown this compound is only produced upon tissue disruption.[5] This alcohol is found in many other mushrooms where it may play a role as an antifeedant.[6] In combination with exhaled CO2 and other volatile compounds secreted from the epidermis, it attracts biting insects such as mosquitoes.[7] It is contained in human breath and sweat, and it is believed that the insect repellent DEET works by blocking the insects' octenol odorant receptors.[8][9][10]
Natural occurrence
Octenol is produced by several plants and fungi, including edible mushrooms and lemon balm. Octenol is formed during oxidative breakdown of linoleic acid.[11] Octenol is responsible for the moldy odor of damp indoor environments.[12]
It is also a wine fault, defined as a cork taint, occurring in wines made with bunch rot contaminated grape.[13]
Synthesis
It can be prepared by the Grignard reaction of acrolein with the Grignard reagent derived from amyl iodide.[14] It also arises by the selective reduction of 1-octen-3-one
Biosynthesis
1-Octen-3-ol is generated from the peroxidation of linoleic acid, catalyzed by a lipoxygenase, followed by cleavage of the resulting hydroperoxide with the help of a hydroperoxide lyase. This reaction takes place in cheese and is used in biotechnology to produce the (R)-isomer.[15][16]

Uses
Octenol is used, sometimes in combination with carbon dioxide, to attract insects in order to kill them with certain electrical devices.[17]
The name 'mushroom alcohol' is used because octenol is the main flavor component of mushrooms.[18]
Health and safety
Octenol is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a food additive.[19] It is of moderate toxicity with an LD50 of 340 mg/kg.[17]
In an animal study, octenol has been found to disrupt dopamine homeostasis and may be an environmental agent involved in parkinsonism.[20]
See also
- Olfactory receptor
- Oct-1-en-3-one, the ketone analog that gives blood on skin its typical metallic, mushroom-like smell[21]
- 1-Octen-3-yl acetate, the acetate ester of this compound

