5-Ethyl-2,3,4,5-tetramethylcyclohexen-1-one (CAS 17369-60-7) — Woody Heart to base Note Fragrance Ingredient

ByThe Good Scents
Woody · Balsamic

5-Ethyl-2,3,4,5-tetramethylcyclohexen-1-one

CAS 17369-60-7

Origin
synthetic
Note
Heart to base
IFRA
Use with awareness
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is 5-Ethyl-2,3,4,5-tetramethylcyclohexen-1-one?

5-Ethyl-2,3,4,5-tetramethylcyclohexen-1-one is a synthetic fragrance compound primarily used in perfumery. It’s a specialty ingredient found in niche and designer fragrances, contributing unique woody-ambery nuances. This molecule is valued for its ability to add depth and complexity to modern fragrance compositions, often serving as a subtle yet impactful modifier.

Safety Profile

USE WITH AWARENESS
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
✓ Approved for fragrance use
⚠ Limited safety data available
CAS
17369-60-7
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Woody · Balsamic
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does 5-Ethyl-2,3,4,5-tetramethylcyclohexen-1-one Smell Like?

This synthetic molecule presents a complex olfactory profile combining woody, ambery, and slightly musky facets. It opens with a crisp, dry woodiness reminiscent of freshly planed cedar, gradually revealing a subtle ambery sweetness akin to tonka bean. The dry-down exhibits a clean, slightly powdery musk character that lingers close to the skin. Its moderate volatility allows it to bridge between top and heart notes, adding structural support to woody-ambery accords without overwhelming other components.

Scent Profile
Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

5-Ethyl-2,3,4,5-tetramethylcyclohex-2-en-1-one

SMILES: CCC1(C)CC(=O)C(C)=C(C)C1C

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

5-Ethyl-2,3,4,5-tetramethylcyclohexen-1-one belongs to the cyclohexenone class of compounds, characterized by a six-membered ring with a ketone group and multiple alkyl substitutions. The specific arrangement of ethyl and methyl groups creates steric hindrance that influences both its physical properties and odor characteristics. It’s synthesized through alkylation and oxidation reactions of precursor cyclohexene derivatives, with careful control of substitution patterns to achieve the desired olfactory profile. The molecule’s rigidity contributes to its tenacity in fragrance formulations.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling PointNot available
DensityNot available
Molecular WeightNot available

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Heart to base
Volatility
Moderate (2-4 hours)
Blending
Good with woody/ambery materials
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance0.5-2%Up to 5%Used as nuance builder
Functional Fragrance0.1-0.5%Up to 1%For subtle woody effects

Classic Accords

Tip: Use sparingly to enhance woody accords without dominating the composition.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Iso E Super CAS 54464-57-2

More widely used woody-amber with better studied safety profile and similar structural effects in fragrances.

2
Vertofix Coeur CAS 68039-49-6

Provides comparable woody tonalities with additional cedar-like characteristics and greater diffusion.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

No specific IFRA restrictions currently apply to this material.

RIFM Assessment

Not currently evaluated by RIFM. Recommended to follow general safety precautions for ketones.

Sustainability

As a synthetic material, this compound is produced through controlled chemical processes with minimal environmental impact compared to natural alternatives. Its efficient use in small quantities reduces overall material consumption in fragrance formulations. The production can be optimized for atom economy and energy efficiency, making it a relatively sustainable choice for modern perfumery.

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References

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

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    Ingredient Data Sheet

    CAS 17369-60-7

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight180.29 g/mol🔬 PubChem
    LogP (Octanol-Water)2.9🔬 PubChem
    Boiling Point236 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
    Vapor Pressure0.3802 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA
    Flash Point106.7 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
    Involatility Index0.0305💻 Calculated
    log Kp (skin permeability)-1.741💻 Calculated
    SMILESCCC1(CC(=O)C(=C(C1C)C)C)C🔬 PubChem

    Volatility & Performance

    Fragrance NoteHeart💻 Calculated
    Volatility ClassSlow💻 Calculated
    Persistence Score0.8 / 5💻 Calculated

    Odor & Flavor

    Primary Descriptorscaramelcreamyfruitynutty• leffingwell
    Functional Groupsketonealkene💻 RDKit
    “Warm, caramellic-fruity, slightly spicy or The material is cleared for use as a synthetic Nut-like odor of considerable tenacity. The title secondary alcohol has been sug- gested for use in perfume compositions as part H3C CH3 of Ambregris bases and similar odor com- ‘><:,/. () The material is briefly mentioned in this l_CH3 work as an example of another type of <~ ,/ \/ chemicals of Ambregris odo”📖 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: DTXSID90864774

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight 180.291 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
    Density 0.897 g/cm^3📊 OPERA
    Boiling Point 239.092 °C📊 OPERA
    Melting Point 31.408 °C📊 OPERA
    Flash Point 98.2 °C📊 OPERA
    Refractive Index 1.445 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
    Molar Volume 208.2 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

    Partition & Solubility

    LogP (Octanol-Water) 3.904 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogD (pH 5.5) 3.904 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogD (pH 7.4) 3.904 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 5.72 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    Water Solubility 0.002 mol/L📊 OPERA
    Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

    Transport Properties

    Vapor Pressure 0.158 mmHg📊 OPERA
    Surface Tension 28.452 dyn/cm📊 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 55.461 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
    Polarizability 21.986 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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