ionone

[ ahy-uh-nohn ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a light-yellow to colorless, slightly water-soluble liquid that is either one or a mixture of two unsaturated ketones having the formula C 13 H 20 O, used chiefly in perfumery.

ionone

/ ˈaɪəˌnəʊn /

noun

1. a yellowish liquid mixture of two isomers with an odour of violets, extracted from certain plants and used in perfumery
2. either of these two isomers. Formula: C 13 H 20 O

Word History and Origins

Origin of ionone¹

First recorded in 1890–95; formerly trademark

Example Sentences

Ionone, a ketone first prepared by Tiemann, and having when diluted a pronounced violet odour.

From Project Gutenberg

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.

From Project Gutenberg

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.

From Project Gutenberg