Gamma & Delta-Lactone

 

 

A lactone is a cyclic ester in organic chemistry. It is the condensation product of an alcohol group and a carboxylic acid group in the same molecule. The most stable structure for lactones are the 5-membered lactones (gamma-lactone) and 6-membered lactones (delta-lactone), because of the minimal angle strain in the compounds' structure. Gamma-lactones are so stable that, in the presence of dilute acids at room temperature, 4-hydroxy acids (R-CH(OH)-(CH2)2-COOH) immediately undergo spontaneous esterification and cyclisation to the lactone.

 

Gamma and Delta Lactones are important flavor and aroma constituents in many natural products. Although both enantiomeric forms occur in nature, the "R"  form tend to be predominant (especially as the alkyl chain length increases).

 

Gamma and Delta decalactones exhibit a fruity, peach-like odor and
taste.
 

 

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