In: Chemistry
how can you tell if lemons contain just one R-limonene and not a mixture of R and S limonene?
The two isomers of limonene can be named 4(R)-limonene and 4(S)-limonene.The two enantiomers have identical chemical properties but different odours.R-Limonene is the isomer that is found in oranges. And unsurprisingly it smells of oranges! The smell of S-limonene is similar to turpentine, althoght some people suggest it has a lemon like aroma.
As R-limonene is the isomer found in orange peel, lemon.It is thought that its high abundance in this part of the fruit is conneted with the fact that it is an insecticide. As well as its smell limonene also contributes to the flavour of the fruit and as such has been used as a food additive for many years.
R-limonene is characterized by the following physical characteristics: boiling point 176 o C ( at 760 mm Hg), melting point - 70 o C; density of 0.94 g/dm3 and good solubility in methyl alcohol, ethanol, acetone and benzene.
The limonene content was estimated by FT-Raman spectroscopy. FT-Raman spectra of R(+) limonene and cyclohexane are showed characteristics peaks at 1678 cm-1 ( Vc=c of cyclohexene ) and 1645 cm-1 ( Vc=c of vinyl )