Conformationally Controlled Odor Perception in ‘Steroid-type’ Scent Molecules

A series of compounds possessing a ‘Steroid-type’ scent and related to 4-(4′-t-butylcyclohexyl)-4-methyl-2-pentanones ( 1 and 2 ) has been synthesized. The odor of these compounds has been found to be dependent on their conformation; only when the molecule can assume a steroid-like shape there is an interaction with the odor chemoreceptor.