Odor impressions have cast a spell over mankind since the dim and distant past. But even today, we are – consciously or subconsciously – guided by our sense of smell and the chemistry behind it. The prominent fragrance chemist Günther Ohloff, Wilhelm Pickenhagen, and Philip Kraft convey the scientist, the perfumer, and the interested layman with a vivid and up-to-date picture of the chemistry of odorants and the research in odor perception.

The book details the molecular basis of olfaction, olfactory characterization of perfumery materials, structure-odor relationships, chemical synthesis of odorants, and chemistry of essential oils and odorants from the animal kingdom, backed up by many examples from perfumery and historical aspects. It is as a thorough introductory tool for all those interested in the molecular world of odors.