Safrole

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A natural oily liquid obtained from certain plants, used as a precursor in the synthesis of various compounds; historically used in perfumes and flavorings but now regulated due to its role in illegal drug manufacture; characterized by a sweet, spicy aroma
2. An organic compound derived from plant sources, employed in producing fragrances and flavoring agents, but restricted because it can be converted into controlled substances; noted for its distinctive aromatic properties
3. A plant-extracted fragrant oil involved in chemical syntheses for commercial fragrances and flavors, subject to regulation owing to its potential use in illicit drug production, and recognized by its sweet, spicy scent

Etymology: Safrole is named for the tree it comes from. Its name blends "sassafras," the North American tree whose root bark and oil were long prized as flavoring, with the chemical ending "-ole." That ending comes from the Latin "oleum," meaning oil, and chemists attach it to many oily compounds, so the name literally reads as "sassafras oil." Safrole is the main component of oil distilled from sassafras, and the name records that botanical source rather than a description of its structure. "Sassafras" itself comes from Spanish "sasafrás," whose ultimate origin is uncertain.

Synonyms: phenylpropene