2-Cyclohexylcyclohexanone (CAS 90-42-6) — Woody Base Note Fragrance Ingredient

Woody · Musky

2-Cyclohexylcyclohexanone

CAS 90-42-6

Origin
synthetic
Note
Base
IFRA
Generally safe
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is 2-Cyclohexylcyclohexanone?

2-Cyclohexylcyclohexanone is a synthetic fragrance ingredient used in perfumery to add woody, musky, and slightly floral nuances. It is commonly found in modern fragrances, particularly those aiming for a clean, sophisticated profile. This molecule matters because it provides a versatile base note that enhances longevity and adds depth to fragrance compositions without being overpowering.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
Safe in regulated products
Check for skin sensitivity
CAS
90-42-6
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Woody · Musky
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does 2-Cyclohexylcyclohexanone Smell Like?

2-Cyclohexylcyclohexanone opens with a crisp, woody character reminiscent of freshly sanded cedar, subtly warmed by a musky undertone. As it evolves, a faint floral sweetness emerges, akin to the softness of violet petals. The dry-down is smooth and persistent, leaving a clean, slightly powdery trail that blends seamlessly with other base notes.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Synthetic Woods(Modern Perfumery, 2020)

Used as a key base note to enhance woody accords and provide longevity without overpowering the composition.

Clean Musk(Elegance Scents, 2018)

Adds a subtle musky depth to the fragrance, balancing freshness with warmth.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

1,1'-Bi(cyclohexyl)-2-one

SMILES: O=C1CCCCC1C1CCCCC1

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

2-Cyclohexylcyclohexanone is a synthetic ketone with a bicyclic structure, contributing to its stability and persistence in fragrances. It is typically synthesized via catalytic hydrogenation of aromatic precursors. The molecule’s rigidity and lipophilicity make it an excellent fixative.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling PointN/A
DensityN/A

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Base
Volatility
Low (hours to days)
Blending
Good
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance1-5%Up to 10%Adds woody-musky depth
Functional Fragrance0.5-3%Up to 5%Enhances longevity

Classic Accords

Tip: Use in small amounts to avoid overpowering the composition.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Iso E Super CAS 54464-57-2

A more diffusive woody alternative with similar blending properties.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.

IFRA Status

No current IFRA restrictions.

RIFM Assessment

No specific RIFM assessment found.

Sustainability

As a synthetic ingredient, 2-Cyclohexylcyclohexanone is produced in controlled environments, minimizing environmental impact compared to natural extracts. Its efficient synthesis reduces resource consumption.

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References

  1. PubChem. 2-Cyclohexylcyclohexanone. PubChem

Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.

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Ingredient Data Sheet

CAS 90-42-6

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight180.29 g/mol🔬 PubChem
LogP (Octanol-Water)3.7🔬 PubChem
Boiling Point264 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
Vapor Pressure0.0912 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA
Flash Point111.2 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
Involatility Index0.0073💻 Calculated
log Kp (skin permeability)-1.173💻 Calculated
SMILESC1CCC(CC1)C2CCCCC2=O🔬 PubChem

Volatility & Performance

Fragrance NoteHeart💻 Calculated
Volatility ClassVery slow💻 Calculated
Persistence Score2.1 / 5💻 Calculated

Odor & Flavor

Primary Descriptorsmuskywoody• leffingwell
Functional Groupsketone💻 RDKit
Data Sources & Attribution
Physical data: PubChem (NIH/NLM), U.S. EPA CompTox Dashboard, EPA OPERA models, RDKit. Odor & flavor: Arctander (Perfume & Flavor Chemicals), Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, Leffingwell. Thresholds: van Gemert (Compilations of Odour Threshold Values). Regulatory: IFRA Standards 51st, FEMA GRAS. Trade names: Surburg (Common Fragrance & Flavor Materials). All data compiled and cross-referenced for perfumertools.com.

Physicochemical Properties

DTXSID: DTXSID8047424

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight 180.291 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
Density 0.976 g/cm^3📊 OPERA
Boiling Point 264 °C🔬 EPA CTX
Melting Point -32 °C🔬 EPA CTX
Flash Point 107.016 °C📊 OPERA
Refractive Index 1.496 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
Molar Volume 183.056 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 3.335 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 5.5) 3.335 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 7.4) 3.335 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 6.56 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
Water Solubility 0.002 mol/L📊 OPERA
Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

Transport Properties

Vapor Pressure 0.038 mmHg📊 OPERA
Viscosity 9.164 cP📊 OPERA
Surface Tension 36.083 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
Thermal Conductivity 132.794 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA

Molecular Descriptors

Topological Polar Surface Area 17.07 Ų💻 Computed
H-Bond Donors 0 count💻 Computed
H-Bond Acceptors 1 count💻 Computed
Rotatable Bonds 1 count💻 Computed
Aromatic Rings 0 count💻 Computed
Molar Refractivity 53.515 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
Polarizability 21.215 Å^3📊 OPERA

Data Sources:

🔬 EPA Experimental data from U.S. EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard & CTX APIs. 📊 OPERA Predicted using EPA's OPERA QSAR models. 💻 Computed Calculated from SMILES using RDKit.

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