Oct-1-en-3-ol and (5Z)-Octa-1,5-dien-3-ol, compounds important in the flavour of prawns and sand-lobsters

Two volatile compounds isolated from seven species of prawns and one species of sand-lobster have been shown by g.l.c., micro-reaction g.l.c., n.m.r., mass spectrometry and synthesis to be oct-1-en-3-ol (2) and (5 Z )-octa-1,5-dien-3-ol (3). These alcohols, which have respectively a mushroom-metallic and a metallic flavour in dilute aqueous solutions, impart a metallic flavour when added to the flesh of crustaceans.