irone Chem.
(ˈaɪərəʊn)
[ad. G. iron (Tiemann & Krüger 1893, in Ber. d. Deut. Chem. Ges. XXVI. 2679), f. G. ir-is iris n. 5: see -one.]
Orig., an essential oil obtained from orris-root; hence, any of the three isomers (α-irone, β-irone, and γ-irone) of which this is composed, which are cyclic ketones, (CH3)4C6H5·CH:CH·CO·CH3, that differ only in the position of the double bond in the C6H5 ring and are methyl derivatives of the ionones.
| 1894 Jrnl. Chem. Soc. LXVI. i. 80 The readily-volatile fraction [of iris root] contains the irone or fragrant oil. Ibid., Irone..is an oil which is scarcely soluble in water. 1934 Chem. Abstr. XXVIII. 4053 Analyses of irone..establish the compn. C14H22O. 1948 Ann. Rep. Progr. Chem. XLIV. 148 While α- and γ-irone possess a fresh violet odour (the ‘irone’ odour), the β-isomer has an ionone smell. 1952 Simonsen & Owen Terpenes (ed. 2) III. 497 It is now recognised that irone is 6-methylionone, and that it can exist in the α-, β-, and γ-forms..each of which has several stereoisomeric modifications. Ibid. 503 γ-Irone is transformed into a mixture of α- and β-irones when treated with dilute sulphuric acid. 1963 Chem. Abstr. LVIII. 1500 Irones are used in the manuf. of perfumes; and they can be synthesized from dextro-α-pinene. |