Carvacrol (CAS 499-75-2) — Spicy Heart Note Fragrance Ingredient
Carvacrol
CAS 499-75-2
What Is Carvacrol?
Carvacrol is a naturally occurring compound found in oregano and thyme, giving these herbs their characteristic warm, spicy aroma. You’ll encounter it in Mediterranean cuisine, herbal teas, and some fragrances. This potent phenol is prized for its antimicrobial properties and distinctive scent profile, making it valuable in both flavorings and perfumery.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESS
What Does Carvacrol Smell Like?
Carvacrol announces itself with a bold, medicinal warmth – think crushed oregano leaves under hot Mediterranean sun. The initial punch evolves into a complex interplay of phenolic sharpness and woody-herbal depth. As it dries down, it reveals a lingering spicy-sweet character reminiscent of clove-studded oranges, with a faint smoky undertone that adds sophistication to its otherwise rustic charm.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used sparingly to create the fragrance’s signature spicy-leather accord, carvacrol adds a warm, medicinal edge that balances the citrus top notes with deeper woody base elements.
This classic employs carvacrol’s phenolic character to bridge between lavender freshness and vanillic sweetness, creating one of perfumery’s first true fougère structures.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC(C)C1=CC=C(C)C(O)=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Carvacrol (5-isopropyl-2-methylphenol) is a monoterpenoid phenol belonging to the cymene class. Naturally abundant in Lamiaceae family plants like oregano (Origanum vulgare) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris), it’s biosynthesized from γ-terpinene via aromatic hydroxylation. Industrial production typically involves isolation from essential oils or synthesis from p-cymene through selective oxidation. The molecule’s chirality at the isopropyl group influences its odor profile, with the (R)-enantiomer being more potent.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 237-238 °C |
|---|---|
| Melting Point | 0-1 °C |
| Density | 0.976 g/cm³ |
| Flash Point | 110 °C |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Used sparingly for spicy accents |
| Functional Fragrance | 0.05-0.2% | Up to 0.5% | Antimicrobial properties useful in soaps |
Classic Accords
+ Citrus + Oakmoss = Mediterranean Fougère
Tip: Use carvacrol in trace amounts to add warmth and complexity to spicy oriental compositions.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Less phenolic and more medicinal, thymol works when a cleaner, cooler spice profile is desired.
For clove-like warmth without carvacrol’s phenolic sharpness, especially in floral compositions.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. IFRA, REACH, EU Cosmetics Regulation standards update periodically. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating. Not legal or regulatory advice.
IFRA Status
No specific restrictions under current IFRA standards (as of 48th Amendment).
EU Allergen Declaration
Not listed as EU allergen.
GHS Classification
H319
H335
RIFM Assessment
RIFM evaluation confirms safe use at current industry levels with proper handling precautions.
Sustainability
While naturally abundant in Mediterranean herbs, most commercial carvacrol is synthesized from petrochemical sources for consistency and cost-effectiveness. Sustainable harvesting of wild oregano populations remains a concern in some regions, driving preference for synthetic alternatives in large-scale applications.
Explore Carvacrol
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Industry & Science Data
References
- Baser K.H.C., Buchbauer G. (2010). Handbook of Essential Oils: Science, Technology, and Applications. CRC Press. ISBN 9781420063165
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Ingredient Data Sheet
CAS 499-75-2Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 150.22 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.1🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 237 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.0264 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 100 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.0023💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -1.415💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C(C)C)O🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Heart💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 2.8 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | herbalmedicinalphenolicsmoky• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | phenolaromatic💻 RDKit |
| “Penetrating, dry-medicinal ("phenolic") - herbaceous odor with a spicy undertone. Main difference from Thymol odor is the lack of sweetness in Carvacrol, the latter being more "tarry".”📖 Arctander | |
| Carvacrol has a characteristic pungent, warm odor. The commercial product consists of a mixture of isomers differing because of the position of the isopropyl radical. The odor characteristics differ between the technical (lower grade) and pure (higher grade) commercial products.📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “Used in flavor compositions, mainly in spice and meat flavors, Citrus compositions, Mint flavors, etc. Furthermore as a modifier in certain types of Mouthwash flavor.”📖 Arctander |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 30.97 ppm📖 van Gemert |
Regulatory Status
| EU Annex III | Listed (restricted)⚖️ IFRA 51 |
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2245⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| GRAS Status | Generally Recognized as Safe⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| IOFI Classification | Nature Identical📖 Fenaroli |
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: DTXSID6042074
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 150.221 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.974 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 237.317 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 1.967 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 104.593 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.523 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 154.211 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.49 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 3.287 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 3.286 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 7.59 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.008 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole🔬 EPA CTX |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.026 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 8.885 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 34.574 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 136.178 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 20.23 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 47.144 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 18.689 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.
