The odorous trace constituent iso-b-bisabolol (4) was isolated from East Indian and Western Australian sandalwood oil and synthesized by using the (E/Z)-triene 12 (iso-g-bisabolene) as a key intermediate. Only one of four stereoisomeric forms of 4, (6R,7R)-4a, is odor active, having a strong floral, muguet-like, very pleasant scent.Introduction. ± Odor perception is initiated by an interaction of a volatile stimulant with a proteinaceous receptor [1]. Different diastereoisomers and enantiomers of the same molecular structure can elicit different odor impressions, both qualitative and quantitative [2]. In our continuous search for new natural trace constituents with high odor impact, we analyzed sandalwood oils of East Indian as well as Western Australian origin [3]. The oils are obtained from wood, trunk butt, or roots of Santalum album L. and Santalum spicatum (R. Br.) A. DC. by different extraction and/or distillation techniques [4].Among a broad range of compounds, the odorless sesquiterpene alcohols abisabolol (1) and b-bisabolol (2) were detected by GC-MS analysis in both Santalum species [3a] [3b]. The corresponding iso-a-bisabolol (3) 2 ) and iso-b-bisabolol (4), however, have, to the best of our knowledge, neither been found in nature nor synthesized so far.