Menthone occurs naturally in a number of essential oils and exists as four possible stereoisomers.

Upon oxidation, menthol yields the ketone menthone.

The steady decline in salivary sucrose concentration in contrast with a rise in menthone concentration is air in the mouth that goes into the nose up the back of the throat.

Physical constants of industrially important menthone isomers are listed in Table 2.1.
The menthones are converted into the corresponding menthols by means of hydrogenation; for example, (−)-menthone yields (+)-neomenthol and (−)-menthol.

Menthone

Meaning

Noun