irone

[ahy-rohn, ahy-rohn]

noun

Chemistry.

1. a colorless liquid of isomeric, unsaturated ketones, C 14 H 22 O, obtained from orris root: used in perfumery for its odor of violets.

Word History and Origins

Origin of irone¹

First recorded in 1890–95; ir(is) + -one

Example Sentences

The greater part of the product consists of the inodorous myristic acid, the chief odour-bearing constituent being irone.

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Irone, which has the perfume of violets, was isolated in 1893 from a ketone contained in orris-root; and ionone, another ketone which has a very closely similar odor of fresh violets and was isolated after some years' further work, is largely used in the preparation of violet perfume.

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Irone and ionone are closely similar in composition to oil of turpentine which when taken into the body is partly converted into perfume and gives a strong odor of violets to the urine.

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