What molecules are we?
November is flavor and aroma month!
It鈥檚 almost Thanksgiving! Among the holiday treats that most of us enjoy is cranberry sauce, whether it鈥檚 full of whole berries or simply a wiggly gelatin. What compounds are in cranberries that make the sauce taste so good?
According to the program at the University of California, Los Angeles, the primary flavor compounds are ethyl benzoate, p-cymene, 伪-迟别谤辫颈苍别辞濒, and 1,8-cineole (aka eucalyptol). The latter two are former Molecules of the Week, so the first two take center stage this year.
Ethyl benzoate is a simple ester of benzoic acid with a sweet, fruity aroma. It has been known since the late 19th century; it is found in fruits such as apples, bananas, cherries, and of course, cranberries. Synthetic ethyl benzoate is made by esterifying benzoic acid and ethanol with an acid catalyst such as hydrochloric or sulfuric acid. It is used as an ingredient in perfumes and artificial fruit-flavoring agents.
p-Cymene is a dialkyl aromatic hydrocarbon. In addition to being a flavor component in cranberries, it is abundant in several essential oils, notably the oils of cumin and thyme. Its aroma and flavor have been described as having hints of citrus, earth, and wood. It can be synthesized from petrochemicals (e.g., the alkylation of toluene with propylene) or from natural terpenes (e.g., by microwave irradiation of limonene). Like ethyl benzoate, p-cymene is used as a flavoring agent; but it also has medicinal uses (in cough syrup) and as a starting material for manufacturing pesticides.
Needless to say, while you鈥檙e enjoying your Thanksgiving dinner, you won鈥檛 be focusing on any of this. Have a happy holiday!
Ethyl benzoate hazard information
| Hazard class* | GHS code and hazard statement | |
|---|---|---|
| Flammable liquids, category 4 | H227鈥擟ombustible liquid |  |
| Short-term (acute) aquatic hazard, category 2 | H401鈥擳oxic to aquatic life | |
p-Cymene hazard information**
| Hazard class* | GHS code and hazard statement | |
|---|---|---|
| Flammable liquids, category 3 | H226鈥擣lammable liquid and vapor | |
| Aspiration hazard, category 1 | H304鈥擬ay be fatal if swallowed and enters airways聽 |  |
| Skin corrosion/irritation, category 2 | H315鈥擟auses skin irritation |  |
| Serious eye damage/eye irritation, category 2A | H319鈥擟auses serious eye irritation | |
| Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure, respiratory tract irritation category 3 | H335鈥擬ay cause respiratory irritation | |
| Reproductive toxicity, category 2 | H361鈥擲uspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child | |
| Short-term (acute) aquatic hazard, category 2 | H401鈥擳oxic to aquatic life | |
| Long-term (chronic) aquatic hazard, category 2 | H411鈥擳oxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects | |
*Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals.聽
**Compilation of selected safety data sheets.
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Ethyl benzoate聽fast facts
| CAS Reg. No. | 93-89-0 |
nomenclature | Benzoic acid, ethyl ester |
| Empirical formula | C9H10O2 |
| Molar mass | 150.17 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless liquid |
| Boiling point | 212掳 C |
| Water solubility | 0.7 g/L |
p-颁测尘别苍别听fast facts
| CAS Reg. No. | 99-87-6 |
nomenclature | Benzene, 1-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)- |
| Empirical formula | C10H14 |
| Molar mass | 134.22 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless liquid |
| Boiling point | 177掳 C |
| Water solubility | 23 mg/L |
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