Hexanal

Other names: Hexanaldehyde, Caproaldehyde, Caproic Aldehyde

Harm score: 2 (Derivatives of natural substances)

Hexanal is a chemical compound belonging to the group of aldehydes, specifically it is a saturated aldehyde with six carbon atoms in the molecule. Besides the name Hexanal, other names such as Hexanaldehyde, Caproaldehyde or Caproic Aldehyde are also used. It is a colourless liquid with a fruity, apple-like smell that occurs naturally in many fruits and vegetables such as apples and melons. It is also part of the aroma of some cheeses.

Hexanal has a wide range of applications in industry and cosmetics. It is mainly used as an ingredient in perfumes due to its pleasant apple scent. It is also used in the food industry as a flavouring in various beverages, candies or ice cream. In industry, hexanal is used as an intermediate in the production of textile auxiliaries, plasticizers and some pharmaceuticals. In the pharmaceutical industry, hexanal is used in the production of vitamin A.