Skip to content
vanillin

File:Vanillin_v3.svg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons

EntityQ33495· pop 46· linked from 415 articles

Also known as vanilla, p-hydroxy-m-methoxybenzaldehyde, p-vanillin, 4-hydroxy-m-anisaldehyde, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, Benzaldehyde, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-, 2-Methoxy-4-formylphenol, m-Anisaldehyde, 4-hydroxy-

Vanillin is an organic compound with the molecular formula . It is a phenolic aldehyde. Its functional groups include aldehyde, hydroxyl, and ether. It is the primary component of the ethanolic extract of the vanilla bean. Synthetic vanillin is now used more often than natural vanilla extract as a flavoring in foods, beverages, and pharmaceuticals.

Chemical data

Formula
C8H8O3
Molecular weight
152.15 g/mol
IUPAC name
4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde
SMILES
COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C=O)O
InChIKey
MWOOGOJBHIARFG-UHFFFAOYSA-N
XLogP
1.2
Polar surface area
46.5 Ų
H-bond donors
1
H-bond acceptors
3
Formal charge
0

via PubChem

Wikidata facts

Subclass of
vanilloids
Has part
carbon
Mass
152.047
Image
Vanillin by Danny S. - 001.JPG
Show 11 more facts
Commons category
Vanillin
chemical formula
C₈H₈O₃
found in taxon
Dendrobium nobile
canonical SMILES
COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C=O)O
density
1.056
melting point
82
boiling point
285
flash point
147
subject has role
flavor enhancer
MCN code
2912.41.00
active ingredient in
vanilla
Sources (7)

via Wikidata · CC0

~17 min read

Encyclopedic overview

17 sections
Contents
  • Natural history
  • Synthetic history
  • Occurrence
  • Production
  • Natural production
  • Biosynthesis
  • Chemical synthesis
  • Wood-based vanillin
  • Fermentation
  • Uses
  • Biochemistry
  • Manufacturing
  • Adverse effects
  • Ecology
  • See also
  • References
  • Notes

Vanillin is an organic compound with the molecular formula . It is a phenolic aldehyde. Its functional groups include aldehyde, hydroxyl, and ether. It is the primary component of the ethanolic extract of the vanilla bean. Synthetic vanillin is now used more often than natural vanilla extract as a flavoring in foods, beverages, and pharmaceuticals.

Vanillin and ethylvanillin are used by the food industry; ethylvanillin is more expensive, but has a stronger note. It differs from vanillin by having an ethoxy group (−O−CH2CH3) instead of a methoxy group (−O−CH3).

Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “vanillin” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.

Gallery (24)