l-Limonene is the optical isomer of Limonene. It is classified as three types: l-Limonene, d-Limonene optical isomers and one racemic.
It is a colorless to pale yellow liquid with a piney, turpentine-like odor.
d-Limonene is naturally found in essential oils of citrus, such as sweet orange oil and mandarin oil. l-Limonene presents in Pine needle oil, Turpentine, Cajeput oil and other essential oils.
Racemic limonene is derived from turpentine. It mainly used in food flavour and synthetic fragrances.
Limonene is present in citrus essential oils, where its content can reach up to 90%. (−)-Limonene naturally occurs in pine needle oil, turpentine, cajuput oil, and other essential oils. It is a liquid with an orange-like aroma and is obtained by fractionation from terpenes in orange oil.
Limonene has optical isomers, including L-limonene, R-limonene, and the racemic isomer dipentene.
In flavor formulations for personal care products, the content of limonene can be as high as 30%. Limonene is also mainly used as an intermediate in the synthesis of bergamyl esters, carvone, p-cymene, tonalide, and fantolide.