Abstract Homologous compounds of the linalool type R (CH 3) 2 El-OH (with R= C 6 H 5 CH 2 and C 6 H 5 CH 2 CH 2) as well as their derivatives R (CH 3) 2 El-OCH 3 and [R (CH 3) 2 El] 2 O show, in dependence of El= C, Si, Ge and Sn partly similar, but sometimes very different characteristics of odor. Unexpected are high qualities of fragrance with El= Ge, whereas derivatives with El= Sn remain scentless, obviously owing to polymerization. ...