Coumarin.

Abstract

Coumarin (1,2-benzopyrone) has a bitter-sweet odor, and is present in tonka beans, sweet clover, lavender and citrus oils, and several other plant species. It is widely used as a fragrance in perfumes, cosmetics, personal care, and other products. It has industrial uses in the electroplating and pharmaceutical industries, and is also used to mask odors in paints, printing inks, insecticides, plastics, and synthetic rubbers. Because of its industrial uses and its many uses as a fragrance in consumer products, workers in a variety of occupations and the general public are exposed to coumarin.