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Helional (from heliotropin, from which is it commonly derived) is a chemical compound used as a perfume in soap and laundry detergent. Chemically it is an aldehyde with a dihydrocinnamaldehyde motif; a structural element which is present in a number of other important commercial fragrances.
Synthesis
Several synthetic routes exist but the most common is a crossed-aldol condensation between piperonal (heliotropin) and propanal followed by selective hydrogenation of the intermediate alkene. This produces a racemic product.
References
Helional Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA