Vanillin Molecule in 3D: C₈H₈O₃ Structure and Facts
Vanillin is the main molecule behind the flavour and smell of vanilla. A benzene ring carries an aldehyde, a methoxy and an OH group. In Molecule Studio you can spin the vanillin molecule, zoom in on each atom and measure its bonds.
Explore in 3DVanillin quick facts
| Chemical formula | C₈H₈O₃ |
|---|---|
| Molar mass | 152.15 g/mol |
| Atoms in one molecule | 19 |
| Shape | Flat ring |
| Group | Food |
What is vanillin used for?
- Flavouring food and drinks
- Perfumes
- Making some medicines
Interesting facts about vanillin
- It is the main flavour molecule in vanilla pods.
- Most vanillin is made in factories rather than from vanilla.
- It has a flat benzene ring at its centre.
- Vanilla orchids are hand pollinated in many places, which makes real vanilla costly.
What you can do in 3D
Turn the molecule to see it from every side, switch between ball and stick, space filling and wire views, and tap atoms to measure bond lengths and angles.
More food molecules
Vanillin questions
What is the formula of vanillin?
C8H8O3.
Is vanillin the same as vanilla?
Vanillin is the main flavour molecule in vanilla, but real vanilla contains many other molecules too.
Where does vanillin come from?
Vanilla pods, and mostly from factories using other starting materials.
What is vanillin used for?
Flavouring food and drinks, and in perfumes.
Molecule Studio is made by Julian Neagu, a solo founder in London, as part of VisionVix Simulators. It is free to use in the browser on desktop and phone, with no sign-up. In the tool, molecules load from the built-in library or from PubChem.