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Citation: Guangze Wang, Ting Xu, Shouchun Yin. Skatole: a fascinating journey from notorious odor to enchanting fragrance[J]. University Chemistry, ;2026, 41(6): 328-334. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202504013 shu

Skatole: a fascinating journey from notorious odor to enchanting fragrance

1.
College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang Province, China;
2.
School of Design Art, College of Science & Technology Ningbo University, Ningbo 315300, Zhejiang Province, China

Corresponding author: Shouchun Yin, yinsc@hznu.edu.cn
Received Date: 1 April 2025
Revised Date: 10 June 2025

This study presents a novel exploration of 3-methylindole (skatole) through an imaginative narrative framework. Tracing its presence from stinky tofu fermentation to perfume formulation and laboratory synthesis, we systematically elucidate skatole’s natural biosynthesis, olfactory transformation mechanisms, and synthetic methodologies. Our approach aims to provide readers with both an intuitive grasp of skatole’s properties and a deeper understanding of its molecular structure and preparation techniques, thereby demonstrating chemistry’s remarkable role in everyday phenomena.
- Skatole,
- 3-methylindole,
- Stinky tofu,
- Perfumery,
- Laboratory synthesis
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