Guaienes are a series of closely related natural chemical compounds that have been isolated from a variety of plant sources. The guaienes are sesquiterpene

Sesquiterpene

Sesquiterpenes are a class of terpenes that consist of three isoprene units and have the molecular formula C15H24. Like monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes may be acyclic or contain rings, including many unique combinations...

s with the molecular formula C₁₅H₂₄. α-Guaiene is the most common and was first isolated from guaiac wood oil

Oil of guaiac

Oil of guaiac is a fragrance used in soap. It comes from the palo santo tree .Oil of guaiac is produced through steam distillation of a mixture of wood and sawdust from palo santo. It is sometimes incorrectly called guaiac wood concrete. It is a yellow to greenish yellow semi-solid mass which...

 from Bulnesia sarmientoi

Bulnesia sarmientoi

Bulnesia sarmientoi is a tree that inhabits a part of the Gran Chaco area in South America, around the Argentina-Bolivia-Paraguay border. Its wood is often traded as Argentine lignum vitae or Paraguay lignum vitae, since it has properties and uses similar to the "true" lignum vitae trees of genus...

. The guaienes are used in the fragrance and flavoring industries to impart earthy, spicy aromas and tastes.