Alpha-Cedrene is used primarily to create leather notes or as a substitute for Virginia cedarwood essential oil (Cedarwood Virginia EO) because of its essentially equivalent scent. It is one of the main components of various cedarwood essential oils, including Cedarwood Virginia EO, Cedarwood Texas EO, and Cedarwood Chinese EO, and it is found in small amounts in verbena essential oil (Verbena EO).
Alpha-Cedrene was first isolated in 1841 by the scientist Walter from the plant Juniperus virginiana. Its chemical synthesis was first achieved in 1953 by Stork and Breslow, who synthesized dl-cedrol and dl-Alpha-Cedrene, and two years later they accomplished the full synthesis of cedrol and Alpha-Cedrene.
From a chemical standpoint, Alpha-Cedrene belongs to the category of sesquiterpenes, meaning it has 15 carbon atoms bonded to 24 hydrogen atoms. Its molecular structure is characterized as a tricyclic structure, which affects its aromatic properties.