Hexanal, also called hexanaldehyde or caproaldehyde is an

alkyl In organic chemistry, an alkyl group is an alkane missing one hydrogen. The term ''alkyl'' is intentionally unspecific to include many possible substitutions. An acyclic alkyl has the general formula of . A cycloalkyl is derived from a cycloa ...

aldehyde In organic chemistry, an aldehyde () is an organic compound containing a functional group with the structure . The functional group itself (without the "R" side chain) can be referred to as an aldehyde but can also be classified as a formyl grou ...

used in the flavor industry to produce fruity flavors. Its scent resembles freshly cut

grass Poaceae () or Gramineae () is a large and nearly ubiquitous family of monocotyledonous flowering plants commonly known as grasses. It includes the cereal grasses, bamboos and the grasses of natural grassland and species cultivated in lawns a ...

, like ''cis''-3-hexenal. It is potentially useful as a natural extract that prevents fruit spoilage. It occurs naturally, and contributes to a hay-like "off-note" flavor in green peas. The first synthesis of hexanal was published in 1907 by P. Bagard.Molecule of the Week: Hexanal
/ American Chemical Society

References

Alkanals Substances discovered in the 1900s {{organic-compound-stub