Linalool
Identity
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Preferred name | Linalool |
| IUPAC name | 3,7-dimethylocta-1,6-dien-3-ol |
| CAS number | 78-70-6 |
| PubChem CID | 6549 [^4] |
| Chemical family | Acyclic Monoterpenoid |
| Molecular formula | C10H18O |
| Molecular mass | 154.25 g/mol |
| Stereochemistry | Chiral; commercial material is usually racemic, but the (R)- and (S)-enantiomers are distinct identities that both occur in nature |
Aroma and sensory character
Floral, lavender, sweet, light citrus woodiness.
Occurrence outside cannabis
- Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)
- Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Physical properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Standard boiling point | 198 °C |
| Reference pressure | 101.325 kPa |
| Data source | NIST Chemistry WebBook (SRD 69): 471.7–471.8 K (≈198.6 °C) [^1] |
Thermal-extraction context
Linalool contains a hydroxyl functional group, yielding a higher standard boiling point than unfunctionalized monoterpenes.
Reported biological activity
Human evidence
An inhalation study using physiological and sensory measurements documented sedative effects of optically active linalools in human participants [^2]. No randomized controlled trial of pure linalool for anxiety was located for this archive; the calming evidence for linalool is carried largely by lavender essential-oil studies and non-RCT physiology studies [^3].
Animal or laboratory evidence
Inhaled linalool showed anxiolytic properties in the light/dark test in mice, increased social interaction, and decreased aggressive behavior 1. The CNS-depressant and anticonvulsant potential reported for higher-dose rodent assays remains without a located primary source in this archive.
Traditional or anecdotal claims
Longstanding use in floral teas and sleep hygiene rituals.
Cannabis laboratory results
A common but rarely dominant monoterpene in cannabis flower; chemotype surveys show substantial batch-to-batch variation, and cultivar names are not chemically fixed 2. Check Lab Results for quantifiable levels.
Sources
Related pages
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Linck VM, da Silva AL, Figueiró M, Caramão EB, Moreno PRH, Elisabetsky E. Effects of inhaled linalool in anxiety, social interaction and aggressive behavior in mice. Phytomedicine. 2010;17(8–9):679–683. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2009.10.002. PMID 19962290. ↩
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Booth JK, et al. Terpene synthases and terpene variation in Cannabis sativa. Plant Physiol. 2020;184(1):130–147. PMID 32591428. ↩
Derived navigation generated from structured relationships. Links are labeled by edge class and evidence trace; derived links are navigation, not primary assertions.