Aggregating an olfactory group on the naturally occurring β-caryophyllene by hydroformylation

•Rhodium catalyzed hydrofomylation of β-caryophyllene using PPh3 as the ligand and ethanol as the solvent has been developed.•The reaction gives the monoaldehyde derived from the endocyclic double bond in ca. 70% yield along with the dialdehyde.•A combined GC yield for these two major hydroformylation products was up to 85%.•The hydroformylation of the naturally occurring β-caryophyllene represents an attractive entry to new fragrant compounds.