描述
3-methylindole, also known as skatol or 3-methyl-4,5-benzopyrrole, is a member of the class of compounds known as 3-methylindoles. 3-methylindoles are aromatic heterocyclic compounds that contain an indole moiety substituted at the 3-position with a methyl group. 3-methylindole is slightly soluble (in water) and an extremely weak acidic compound (based on its pKa). 3-methylindole is a very strong, animal, and civet tasting compound found in common beet and red beetroot, which makes 3-methylindole a potential biomarker for the consumption of these food products. 3-methylindole can be found primarily in feces and saliva. Skatole or 3-methylindole is a mildly toxic white crystalline organic compound belonging to the indole family. It occurs naturally in feces (it is produced from tryptophan in the mammalian digestive tract) and coal tar and has a strong fecal odor. In low concentrations, it has a flowery smell and is found in several flowers and essential oils, including those of orange blossoms, jasmine, and Ziziphus mauritiana. It is used as a fragrance and fixative in many perfumes and as an aroma compound. Its name is derived from the Greek root skato- meaning "dung". Skatole was discovered in 1877 by the German physician Ludwig Brieger (1849–1919). Skatole is also used by U.S. military in its non-lethal weaponry; specifically, malodorants .