Question

What chemicals smell like pungent fresh cut grass? The Wikipedia page lists several variants of chemicals, but mainly the ones that occur in actual grass. Examples: cis-3-hexanal, cis-3-hexenol, and (E)-2-hexenal. Presumably the smell of fresh cut grass itself comes from 3-hexenal, but are there other common chemicals that have a grass-like-smell?

The only other chemical that comes to mind is phosgene, which has a considerably different chemical structure than the hexenol/hexenal chemicals, but are there other chemicals that share the same smell?

Answer 1

Common chemicals that smell like fresh cut grass include 1-Hexanol, while esters and ketones can also be associated with pleasant, plant-like scents. Phosgene, however, has a distinct smell that is not reminiscent of grass, and amines tend to emit foul odors.

Step-by-step explanation:

Several common chemicals with grass-like smells beyond cis-3-hexenal, cis-3-hexenol, and (E)-2-hexenal include 1-Hexanol and various esters and ketones.

Phosgene indeed has a different structure and is not typically associated with a grassy aroma. Compounds like methyl salicylate and ethyl acetate are known for their distinct odors resembling natural scents.

Esters, often found in plants, contribute to various aromatic profiles, such as the wintergreen scent of methyl salicylate. Aldehydes and ketones like vanillin and benzaldehyde are significant for sweet fragrances, and while they don't necessarily smell like grass, they affect our olfactory system in pleasant ways.

Some amines have unpleasant odors, such as putrescine and cadaverine, which result from protein breakdown and smell like decay rather than fresh grass.