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.

Günther Ohloff (1924-2005) studied Pharmacy in Königsberg and Erlangen, as well as Chemistry at the TH Dresden. After his PhD with Heinrich Wienhaus he moved to Schimmel, Miltitz, in 1951, but left Eastern Germany in 1953 for Dragoco, Holzminden. From 1959-1962 he stayed at the Max Planck Institute, Mülheim, and then joined Firmenich, Geneva, where he was research director from 1968 until his retirement 1989. His price-awarded scientific work is documented in 228 publications and 111 patents.

Wilhelm Pickenhagen (*1939) obtained a PhD at the University of Paris with Edgar Lederer. After a fellowship with George Büchi at MIT, research chemist and then department head at Firmenich, Geneva, general manager Flavor Technology at Firmenich, Princeton, and from 1996-2003 head of corporate research of Dragoco, Holzminden. Lecturer and Honorary Professor at the University of Göttingen and lecturer at the ISIPCA Versailles. He has authored 60 scientific and 29 patent publications.

Philip Kraft (*1969) studied Chemistry at Kiel University, and obtained his PhD with Werner Tochtermann on macrocyclic musks in collaboration with H&R. In 1996, he joined the fragrance research of Givaudan and was promoted to the ranks of chief chemist (2001), group leader (2008) and research fellow (2015) with a special focus on rational odorant design. He has authored 97 publications and 38 patents, invented seven commercially successful perfumery materials, and read Fragrance Chemistry at the University of Bern, Zurich, and the ETH Zurich. In 2021, he joined Symrise, Holzminden, and now offers his Fragrance Chemistry lecture at the University of Göttingen.

Fanny Grau (*1980) studied Chemistry at the University of Toulouse and obtained her PhD in catalytic chemistry from the University of Nice. In 2007, she joined Symrise, Holzminden, as a post-doctoral researcher in odorant discovery and in 2009 started her perfumery training with Marc vom Ende, winning the Patchwork Perfumery contest. In 2012, she was promoted to perfumer and after a stay in Mexico City working in all segments, she is now focused on fine fragrances in São Paulo with a plethora of creations on the market for numerous brands.