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skatole

Structure via PubChem · Public domain (PubChem)

EntityQ412281· pop 32· linked from 269 articles

Also known as 3-Methylindole, Skatol, 3-methyl-4,5-benzopyrrole, beta-methylindole, 3-methyl-1H-indole, 3-MI, Scatole, b-Methylindole

Skatole (also spelled skatol) or 3-methylindole is an organic compound belonging to the indole family. It occurs naturally in the feces of mammals and birds and is the primary contributor to fecal odor. At high to moderate conentrations, its aroma is described as "animal, fecal, naphthyl, civet". In low concentrations, it has a flowery smell and is found in several flowers and essential oils, including those of orange blossoms, jasmine, and Ziziphus mauritiana. It has also been identified in certain cannabis varieties.

Chemical data

Formula
C9H9N
Molecular weight
131.17 g/mol
IUPAC name
3-methyl-1H-indole
SMILES
CC1=CNC2=CC=CC=C12
InChIKey
ZFRKQXVRDFCRJG-UHFFFAOYSA-N
XLogP
2.6
Polar surface area
15.8 Ų
H-bond donors
1
H-bond acceptors
0
Formal charge
0

via PubChem

Wikidata facts

Mass
131.073
Show 5 more facts
chemical formula
C₉H₉N
canonical SMILES
CC1=CNC2=CC=CC=C12
boiling point
265
melting point
96
Commons category
Skatole
Sources (6)

via Wikidata · CC0

~4 min read

Article

6 sections
Contents
  • Biosynthesis, chemical synthesis, and reactions
  • Insect studies
  • Animal studies
  • Applications
  • See also
  • References

Skatole (also spelled skatol) or 3-methylindole is an organic compound belonging to the indole family. It occurs naturally in the feces of mammals and birds and is the primary contributor to fecal odor. At high to moderate conentrations, its aroma is described as "animal, fecal, naphthyl, civet". In low concentrations, it has a flowery smell and is found in several flowers and essential oils, including those of orange blossoms, jasmine, and Ziziphus mauritiana. It has also been identified in certain cannabis varieties.

It is used as a fragrance and fixative in many perfumes and as an aroma compound. It is also used in low concentrations in some ice cream as a flavor enhancer. Its name derives from the Greek root skato-, meaning feces. Skatole was discovered in 1877 by the German physician Ludwig Brieger (1849–1919).

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