Chemistry of Fragrances: From Perfumer to Consumer (RSC Paperbacks) - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0854048243 ISBN 13: 9780854048243

Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry, 2006

Synopsis

Modern perfumery is a blend of art, science and technology, with chemistry being the central science involved. The Chemistry of Fragrances aims to educate and entertain, and inform the audience of the very latest chemistry, techniques and tools applied to fragrance creativity. Beginning with the history of perfumes, which goes back over fifty thousand years, the book goes on to discuss the structure of the Perfume Industry today. The focus then turns to an imaginary brief to create a perfume, and the response to it, including that of the chemist and the creative perfumer. Consumer research, toxicological concerns, and the use of the electronic nose are some of the topics discussed on this journey of discovery. Written by respected experts in their fields, this unique book gives an insider view of "mixing molecules" from behind the portals of modern-day alchemy. It will be enjoyed by chemists and marketeers at all levels.

About this title

About the Author

Charles Sell is a Visiting Scientist at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston and has 30 years’ research experience in fragrance with Quest International.

Review

Reviews from the 1st Edition ...

"very readable as well as being educational. Highly recommended!"

Organic Process Research and Development Vol 4 No 1 2000 p 60

 

The chemistry of fragrances. From perfumer to consumer  

Charles Sell (ed) 

Cambridge, UK; Royal Society of Chemistry | 2006 | 336pp | ISBN 0854048243 

Reviewed by David Chamberlin

... a good insight into the perfume industry

This book is unashamedly chemical, written by and for chemists. It is multi-authored, but all the contributors are currently or were previously employed by the same company, Quest International, giving a cohesive approach to the content. The editor, Charles Sell, welds the various chapters together to give a good insight into the perfume industry. 

After an introduction on the history of perfumes and fragrances and on perfumery materials from natural plant sources, the longest chapter of the book covers the chemical synthesis of perfume ingredients, especially terpenoid ones. The industrial syntheses developed by the various companies in the fragrance business are well described in chemical and economic terms and accompanied by reaction sequences. 

The rest of the book shows how these basic ingredients produced by the chemist are used to develop fragrance products through formulation, and outlines all the other issues that the industry has to consider such as fragrance perception, fragrance performance, stability testing, biodegradability, safety and toxicology. 

A final section deals with the future search for new fragrance ingredients which the authors claim will involve chemists using their synthetic skills, inspired by nature, and aided by computers. 

A sniff page is included, the scent of which lasts long enough for the reader to finish the book in a cloud of lavender. 

Chemistry World 3, #12, 63, Dec 2006

Edition details

• Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
• Publication date: 2006
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0854048243
• ISBN 13: 9780854048243
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 348
• Editor: Sell Charles S