Smell of Cut Grass - Cis-3-Hexenal

Cis-3-Hexenal, also known as leaf aldehyde, is a colorless liquid and an aroma compound with an intense odor of freshly cut grass and leaves. It is considered responsible for the freshly mowed grass odor. That "Fresh Cut Grass" Smell Is a Distress Signal.

When leafy plants are harmed in any way, they release organic compounds called green leaf volatiles (GLVs). Besides emitting a unique "green" odor, GLVs help form new cells to heal wounds faster, prevent bacterial infection and fungal growth (like an antibiotic), and produce compounds to prevent further damage. Other GLVs simply serve as distress signals, suggesting that plants have a rudimentary form of language. On the other hand, humans benefit from these emissions. When you mow your lawn, you're releasing eight helpful oxygenated hydrocarbons into the atmosphere.

Cis-3-Hexenal; (Z)-Hex-3-enal; 3-Hexenal, 3-(Z)-Hexenal; (Z)-3-Hexenal.