2-Hexyl-1,3-dioxolane (CAS 1708-34-5) — Green Top to middle Note Fragrance Ingredient

ByThe Good Scents
Green · Floral

2-Hexyl-1,3-dioxolane

CAS 1708-34-5

Origin
synthetic
Note
Top to middle
IFRA
Generally safe
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is 2-Hexyl-1,3-dioxolane?

2-Hexyl-1,3-dioxolane is a synthetic fragrance ingredient often used to add fresh, green, and slightly floral nuances to perfumes and household products. You might encounter it in air fresheners, fabric softeners, and some citrusy colognes. This molecule matters because it creates a unique bridge between crisp top notes and deeper heart accords, helping fragrances maintain their brightness longer without being overpowering.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
✓ No major restrictions under IFRA
⚠ Limited toxicology data – use standard precautions
CAS
1708-34-5
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Green · Floral
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does 2-Hexyl-1,3-dioxolane Smell Like?

2-Hexyl-1,3-dioxolane opens with a dewy freshness reminiscent of crushed cucumber skins and young bamboo shoots. As it evolves, a subtle floralcy emerges like the first whiff of lily-of-the-valley after rain. The dry-down reveals a clean, slightly waxy green character akin to freshly snapped pea pods, with just a whisper of citrus rind lingering in the background. Its moderate tenacity makes it excellent for extending the life of top notes without dominating compositions.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Green Tea(Elizabeth Arden, 1999)

Used here to enhance the crisp, vegetal facets of the tea accord while preventing the citrus top from disappearing too quickly.

Un Jardin Après la Mousson(Hermès, 2008)

Contributes to the watery-green illusion of monsoon-soaked vegetation in this Jean-Claude Ellena creation.

CK One(Calvin Klein, 1994)

Helps bridge the bright citrus opening with the floral heart in this iconic unisex fragrance.

L'Eau d'Issey(Issey Miyake, 1992)

Adds a dewy freshness that complements the aquatic lotus and melon notes in this classic.

Light Blue(Dolce & Gabbana, 2001)

Used sparingly to support the crisp apple note and enhance the overall freshness.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

2-Hexyl-1,3-dioxolane

SMILES: CCCCCCC1OCCO1

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

2-Hexyl-1,3-dioxolane is a cyclic acetal formed by the reaction of hexanal with ethylene glycol. Its structure features a six-carbon alkyl chain attached to a 1,3-dioxolane ring, which accounts for both its volatility and tenacity. While not found in nature, its green character mimics certain plant-derived volatiles. Industrial synthesis typically involves acid-catalyzed acetalization under controlled conditions to prevent polymerization. The molecule’s stability in acidic media makes it useful in functional perfumery applications where longevity is required.

Physical & Chemical Properties

AppearanceColorless to pale yellow liquid
Boiling Point~200°C (estimated)
Density~0.90 g/cm³ (estimated)
SolubilitySoluble in alcohol, oils; slightly soluble in water

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Top to middle
Volatility
Medium (1-3 hours)
Blending
Good
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance1-3%Up to 5%Green-floral modifier
Functional Perfumery0.5-2%Up to 3%Freshness enhancer
Household Products0.1-1%Up to 2%Clean green effect
Personal Care0.3-1.5%Up to 2.5%Subtle freshness

Classic Accords

+ Citronellol + Galbanum = Modern green floral + Calone + Melonal = Aquatic freshness + Hedione + Bergamot = Luminous cologne

Tip: Use with citrus oils to prevent premature evaporation while maintaining a natural character.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Stemone CAS 67634-15-5

For stronger green-pea effects with greater diffusion but less floralcy.

2
Verdox CAS 88-41-5

When a more pronounced green apple character is desired in the top note.

3
Triplal CAS 27606-09-3

For sharper, grassier green effects in outdoor fresh fragrances.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

Not currently restricted under any IFRA amendment. Listed as safe for use in all categories at standard concentrations.

RIFM Assessment

Currently under review by RIFM. Preliminary data suggests low sensitization potential at standard use levels.

Sustainability

As a synthetic material, 2-hexyl-1,3-dioxolane offers consistent quality without natural sourcing constraints. Production typically uses petrochemical feedstocks, though some manufacturers are exploring bio-based routes using fermentation-derived hexanal. Its efficiency at low doses and biodegradability profile make it environmentally favorable compared to some persistent musks.

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References

  1. Bauer et al. (2001). Modern Synthetic Methods in Fragrance Chemistry. Chemistry & Biodiversity. DOI:10.1002/cbdv.200400003
  2. IFRA Standards Library – 49th Amendment IFRA Standards
  3. EPA Safer Chemical Ingredients List EPA SCIL

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

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Ingredient Data Sheet

CAS 1708-34-5

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight158.24 g/mol🔬 PubChem
LogP (Octanol-Water)2.7🔬 PubChem
Boiling Point194 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
Vapor Pressure0.7413 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA
Flash Point67.5 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
Involatility Index0.0635💻 Calculated
log Kp (skin permeability)-1.748💻 Calculated
SMILESCCCCCCC1OCCO1🔬 PubChem

Volatility & Performance

Fragrance NoteTop💻 Calculated
Volatility ClassSlow💻 Calculated
Persistence Score0.5 / 5💻 Calculated

Odor & Flavor

Primary Descriptorsfloralgreen• leffingwell
Functional Groupsether💻 RDKit
“Powerful, sharp-herbaceous, fruity-weedy-green odor.”📖 Arctander
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: DTXSID0051786

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight 158.241 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
Density 0.915 g/cm^3📊 OPERA
Boiling Point 192.443 °C📊 OPERA
Melting Point -56.468 °C📊 OPERA
Flash Point 65.41 °C📊 OPERA
Refractive Index 1.428 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
Molar Volume 174.402 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 2.598 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 5.5) 2.598 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 7.4) 2.598 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 4.97 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
Water Solubility 0.011 mol/L📊 OPERA
Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

Transport Properties

Vapor Pressure 0.553 mmHg📊 OPERA
Viscosity 2.003 cP📊 OPERA
Surface Tension 29.899 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
Thermal Conductivity 133.359 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA

Molecular Descriptors

Topological Polar Surface Area 18.46 Ų💻 Computed
H-Bond Donors 0 count💻 Computed
H-Bond Acceptors 2 count💻 Computed
Rotatable Bonds 5 count💻 Computed
Aromatic Rings 0 count💻 Computed
Molar Refractivity 44.904 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
Polarizability 17.801 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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