Small Carbon Rings in Fragrance Molecules: Effects on Olfactory Properties and Comparison With Ring‐Modified Analogues

ABSTRACT In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of strained three‐ and four‐membered carbocyclic rings as important structural motifs in selected families of fragrance molecules. We examine their potential olfactophoric role in shaping odour characteristics and comprehensively assess the synthetic strategies employed for the preparation of these aroma compounds. Particular emphasis is placed on comparing cyclopropyl‐ and cyclobutyl‐containing derivatives with their parent compounds and structurally related analogues lacking the small carbocyclic ring. The compounds are classified according to their predominant olfactory profiles, facilitating a structure–odour relationship analysis across the different fragrance families.