Organic Compound Research Paper: Cinnamaldehyde Cinnamaldehyde is the oil in cinnamon that gives it its unique scent and flavor. This yellowish, sweet, and oily liquid [Cheng] is found naturally occurring in the bark of small evergreen trees called Cinnamomum zeylanicum [Burnham], which are located in southern parts of India and Sri Lanka. Dating back to ancient times when it was first discovered, Cinnamon had great value. People living in biblical times used it as a perfume or anointing oil, while Egyptians used it in the burial of their mummies. Each civilization had a different use for it, but in all civilizations it was an item of worth.

Cinnamaldehyde has many other names to describe it, but the most common name (other than its common name Cinnamaldehyde) is its IUPAC name: (2E)-3-phenylprop-2-enal, or 3-phenyl-2-propenal. Its formula is C6H5CH=CHCHO, it is in the family of aldehydes, and the Merck Index Number is 2297. Also, its structures are showed below:
Structure:

Ball and Stick Method Structural Formula

And, a common reaction of Cinnamaldehyde is an aldol condensation reaction, which is the first reaction that occurs when Cinnamaldehyde is being synthesized to obtain commercial cinnamon. It is shown below:

As stated previously, Cinnamaldehyde is found in the bark of an evergreen tree native to Southern India/Sri Lanka. This bark can be used to make Cinnamon. Cinnamon then became a valuable possession in the ancient times; it was a luxury to own. In biblical times, Egyptian times, and Roman times, Cinnamon was especially important. Cinnamon is not seen as something with monetary value nowadays, but we still use it today as a flavor in foods, and scents in things such as candles.

Besides Cinnamaldehyde’s obvious involvement as a food additive (in things such as gum, cinnamon bread, cake mix, etc.), it is also used in a number of home care and cosmetic products for its smell, or flavor, as well. Such products include things such as deodorants, mouthwash, soaps, and toothpaste. On a side note, it is also somewhat used in agriculture as in insecticide/or fungicide [Burnham]. Cinnamaldehyde is not a lethal compound, but it does cause some problems if the following occur: Inhalation: Inhaling this compound causes irritation to the respiratory tract. The following symptoms may occur: coughing and shortness of breath.
Ingestion: Ingestion causes irritation to the gastrointestinal tract and symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. Skin Contact: When this compound comes into contact with skin, it causes irritation. The following symptoms may include: redness, itching, and pain. When prolonged contact, of about forty-eight hours or more, has occurred, there are reported cases of superficial skin burns in humans. Eye Contact: When this compound comes in contact with the eye, irritation, pain, and redness may occur. And, on a side note, Allergy: An allergy to this organic compound exists. None of these reactions are lethal however, and Cinnamaldehyde is certainly not a lethal compound. [Barbalace]

Cinnamaldehyde is a yellowish, oily, and sweet organic compound [Barbalace] that is responsible for the taste in cinnamon. Has the strong odor of cinnamon, and is slightly soluble when placed in water. Its boiling point is 248° Celsius (478°Farenheit), and its melting point is -8° Celsius (18°Farenheit).

As of currently, there are not any environmental concerns that Cinnamaldehyde is directly involved with. Of course there is cinnamon in items such as cleaning agents and other home care products, which are not good for the environment. But it still is not directly related to environmental concerns. It is, however being used to create new substances to help out the humans, for instance as insecticide, which is displayed below.

[Copied from website, see Cheng citation] Cinnamaldehyde is prepared and produced commercially (in current times) by treating the bark of the Cinnamomum zeylanicum tree with steam. The aldehyde dissolves in the steam and can then be extracted as the steam cools and condenses to form cold water, in which the compound is much less soluble. This is how cinnamon is produced. [Cheng]

The health benefits, or “physiological effects” of Cinnamaldehyde mainly include reducing bacteria (for instance, in Big Red gum, it reduced bacteria in the mouth by fifty percent), helping to prevent unwanted blood clotting, reduces the rise in blood glucose levels, and many other benefits that pertain to that theme [Cheng].

To conclude, Cinnamaldehyde is a common organic compound that is synthesized to obtain the common household item Cinnamon. It has several health benefits, but can be irritating if it is consumed solely by itself. It is native to Southern India and Sri Lanka, but in current times it is now being commercially produced in places all over the world. To finish, Cinnamaldehyde is used in many household items, such as cleaning products and foods, and has contributed to become very useful since it was first discovered in ancient times.