MOLECULE

Propanal

Propanal, also known as propionaldehyde, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as aldehydes. These are aldehydes with the general formula HC(H)(R)C(=O)H, where R is an organic group. In organic chemistry, propanal or propionaldehyde is the aldehyde of the 3-carbon propyl group. It has a chemical formula of CH3CH2CHO and is a structural isomer of propanone. It is a colourless liquid with a slightly irritating, fruity odour, at room temperature. Researchers have recently discovered two new interstellar molecules one of which is propanal. It was located within the Milky Way Galaxy inside an interstellar cloud known as Sagittarius B2. Propanal is used as a flavouring agent. It has been isolated from various plant sources, such as hops, banana, sweet or sour cherry, blackcurrants, melon, pineapple, bread, chesses, coffee, cooked rice and strawberry or apple aroma. Propanal has also been reported to be a volatile component of cannabis plants (PMID: 26657499).