Alcohols, C11-15-secondary, ethoxylated (CAS 68131-40-8) — Green N/A Note Fragrance Ingredient

ByThe Good Scents
Green · Woody

Alcohols, C11-15-secondary, ethoxylated

CAS 68131-40-8

Origin
synthetic
Note
N/A
IFRA
Use with awareness
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is Alcohols, C11-15-secondary, ethoxylated?

Alcohols, C11-15-secondary, ethoxylated is a synthetic surfactant commonly found in industrial cleaners, detergents, and some personal care products. It helps dissolve oils and improve product spreadability. While not a traditional fragrance ingredient, it may contribute subtle background notes in functional formulations where scent is secondary to performance.

Safety Profile

USE WITH AWARENESS
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
✓ Approved for industrial applications
⚠ Potential skin irritant in high concentrations
CAS
68131-40-8
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Green · Woody
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Alcohols, C11-15-secondary, ethoxylated Smell Like?

This ethoxylated alcohol blend has a faint, clean odor reminiscent of diluted soap or laundry detergent. The scent profile is neutral with subtle waxy undertones, lacking distinct top/middle/base evolution. In formulations, it primarily functions as a surfactant rather than a fragrance ingredient, contributing minimal olfactory impact beyond a generic ‘clean’ background note.

Scent Profile
Layer 2

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

Alcohols, C11-15-secondary, ethoxylated is a synthetic surfactant produced by ethoxylation of secondary alcohols with ethylene oxide. The C11-15 carbon chain length provides balanced hydrophobicity while the ethoxylation introduces hydrophilic character. This amphiphilic structure enables effective surface tension reduction. The product is typically a mixture of molecules with varying degrees of ethoxylation.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
N/A
Volatility
N/A
Blending
N/A
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Industrial Cleaners5-15%1-30%Primary surfactant
Personal Care0.5-3%Up to 5%Secondary emulsifier

Classic Accords

Tip: Use primarily for surfactant properties rather than olfactory contribution.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Alcohol ethoxylates (C12-14) CAS 68439-50-9

Similar surfactant properties with slightly different carbon chain length for adjusted solubility profile.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

Not restricted by IFRA as it is not classified as a fragrance material.

GHS Classification

H315 Skin irritation H319 Eye irritation

RIFM Assessment

Not evaluated by RIFM as it is not a fragrance material.

Sustainability

Synthesized from petrochemical feedstocks. Ethoxylation process requires careful control of reaction conditions. Biodegradability varies with degree of ethoxylation. Some manufacturers offer bio-based alcohol alternatives to improve sustainability profile.

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References

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

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    Ingredient Data Sheet

    CAS 68131-40-8
    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.

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