Book excerpt: Scent and Chemistry Odor impressions have cast a spell over mankind since the dim and distant past. But even today, we are –consciously or subconsciously– guided by our sense of smell and the chemistry behind it. The prominent fragrance chemists Günther Ohloff, Wilhelm Pickenhagen and Philip Kraft convey the scientist, the perfumer, and the interested layman with a vivid and up-to-date picture of the chemistry of odorants and the research in odor perception. In this second thoroughly revised and updated edition they are joined by creative perfumer Fanny Grau, a rising master in this métier, who complements the scientific treatise by a concise introduction to the art of perfumery and its composition techniques. Besides this new chapter on the creative aspects of perfumery, the book details on the molecular basis of olfaction, olfactory characterization of perfumery materials, structure–odor relationships, the chemical synthesis of odorants, and the chemistry of essential oils and odorants from the animal kingdom, backed up by many perfume examples and historical aspects. It will serve as a thorough introductory text for everyone interested in the molecular world of odors.