Enzymatic resolution and odor description of both enantiomers of lavandulol, a fragrance of lavender oil.

Both enantiomers of lavandulol (1), an important constituent of lavender oil, were prepared by enzymatic optical resolution, and the odor quality of the single antipodes were evaluated. The fragrance of the nature-identical (R)-enantiomer ('weak floral, herbal odor with slightly lemon-like, fresh citrus fruity nuance') was superior to those of both the unnatural (S)-enantiomer ('very weak odor') and the racemate ('weak floral, herbal odor').