Apofenchene

/ˌæpoʊˈfɛntʃiːn/ noun

Definition

A hydrocarbon compound found in essential oils and pinewood, belonging to the terpene family of organic molecules.

Etymology

From apo- (derived from) + fenchene (a related terpene compound). The prefix indicates its relationship to the parent compound fenchene in chemical nomenclature.

Kelly Says

Apofenchene comes from pine trees and gives them their distinctive smell, and this same class of compounds is why lemon, lavender, and mint smell the way they do—thousands of plants independently invented the same chemical recipe for fragrance.

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