Chemical Properties
clear colorless to pale yellow liquid
Uses
L-Menthone is used in perfumery and cosmetics for its characteristic aromatic and minty odor. And it is also used in synthesis of agrochemicals, and dyestuff.
Definition
ChEBI: (-)-menthone is a menthone that is cyclohexanone substituted by a methyl and an isopropyl group at positions 5 and 2 respectively (the 2S,5R-stereoisomer). It is an enantiomer of a (+)-menthone.
General Description
(-)-Menthone is a monoterpenoid compound found in the essential oil extracted from the maturing peppermint (
Mentha piperita L.) leaves.
Biochem/physiol Actions
Taste at 50 ppm
Synthesis
1) Preparation of the chiral catalyst [RuCl(S)-XylBINAP(S)-DAIPEN].
2) Selective hydrogenation: D-Pulegone is hydrogenated at 70C under 100 atm H pressure for 23 h in the presence of the catalyst. After removing solvents, levomenthol is obtained by distillation under reduced pressure.
