Product Description
Chemical Structure and Properties
Chemical Structure: Limonene, with the chemical name 1 - methyl - 4 - (1 - methylvinyl) cyclohexene, is a cyclic monoterpene.
Physical Properties: Limonene is a colorless to pale - yellow liquid with a pleasant citrus - like odor, which is one of the reasons why it is commonly used in the flavor and fragrance industries. Its density is approximately 0.84 g/cm³, its boiling point is between 175 - 177 °C, and its melting point is - 74.3 °C. Limonene is insoluble in water, but it can be miscible with many organic solvents such as ethanol, ethyl ether, and chloroform. This solubility characteristic makes it easy to handle in many chemical and industrial processes.
Chemical Properties: Limonene is a relatively stable compound, but it can also undergo a variety of chemical reactions under certain conditions. It can undergo addition reactions. For example, it can react with hydrogen to form p - menthane. Under acidic conditions, limonene can undergo isomerization reactions and be converted into other terpenoid compounds. In addition, due to the presence of carbon - carbon double bonds, limonene also has a certain reactivity and can participate in oxidation reactions to generate various oxidation products. These oxidation products may have new chemical and physiological properties in some cases.
Application Areas
Flavor and Fragrance Industry: Limonene is an important flavor ingredient. Due to its fresh citrus - like odor, it is widely used to blend various flavors, such as food flavors and daily - chemical flavors. In the food industry, it can be used for the flavoring of beverages, candies, baked goods, etc., adding a natural citrus flavor to the products. In daily - chemical products (such as perfumes, shampoos, bath gels, etc.), limonene can provide a pleasant aroma and enhance the attractiveness of the products.
Food Industry: Besides being used as a flavor, limonene also has certain antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Adding limonene to food packaging materials can inhibit the growth of microorganisms and extend the shelf life of food. At the same time, it can also be used as a food additive to prevent lipid oxidation and protect the nutritional components and flavor of food.
Pharmaceutical Industry: Limonene also has certain applications in the pharmaceutical field. Studies have shown that limonene has anti - inflammatory and gallstone - dissolving effects. It can regulate the inflammatory mediators in the body to reduce the inflammatory response and may have an adjuvant therapeutic effect on some inflammatory diseases (such as cholecystitis). In addition, limonene has a dissolving effect on the cholesterol component in gallstones and is expected to be used in non - surgical treatment of gallstones. However, this application is still in the research stage.
Industrial Applications: In industry, limonene can be used as a green solvent. Due to its good solubility and volatility and its relatively environmental - friendly nature, it can replace some traditional organic solvents (such as halogenated hydrocarbons) in the formulations of coatings, inks, etc., reducing the harm to the environment.
Product Specifications and Quality Standards
Product Specifications: The specifications of limonene products mainly include purity, optical rotation, and aroma intensity. The purity is generally required to be above 90%. High - purity limonene can better exert its functions and reduce the influence of impurities on the application effect. Optical rotation is an important characteristic of limonene. The proportion of different optical isomers can affect the properties and application range of the product. For example, in the flavor industry, limonene with different optical rotations may produce slightly different aromas. Aroma intensity is also a key indicator, which determines the dosage and effect of limonene in flavor and fragrance products.
Quality Standards: In the food industry, when limonene is used as a food additive, it must comply with the national food safety standards, and there are clear regulations on its purity, impurity content, maximum usage amount, etc. In the pharmaceutical industry, limonene used for drug preparation needs to meet the drug quality standards, including requirements for its safety, effectiveness, and stability. In flavor and daily - chemical products, limonene needs to meet the corresponding industry standards, such as the standards of the International Fragrance Association (IFRA), to ensure its safety and stability in the products.
Safety and Precautions
Safety: Limonene is generally considered a relatively safe compound. Under the normal usage doses in the fields of food, flavor, and medicine, it does not cause obvious harm to the human body. However, high - concentration limonene may cause irritation to the skin and eyes. For example, in the industrial production process, if exposed to high - concentration limonene, it may cause symptoms such as skin redness, itching, or eye discomfort.
Precautions: When storing limonene products, it is necessary to avoid high temperature and strong light, because these factors may cause limonene to undergo chemical reactions and affect its quality and performance. During use, especially in the food and pharmaceutical industries, it is necessary to strictly follow the prescribed doses to avoid potential risks caused by over - use. At the same time, for products containing limonene, it is necessary to pay attention to the usage instructions and precautions on the labels to ensure correct use.
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