Cellulose, 2-hydroxyethyl ether (CAS 9004-62-0) — Citrus Non-aromatic Note Fragrance Ingredient

ByThe Good Scents
Citrus · Floral

Cellulose, 2-hydroxyethyl ether

CAS 9004-62-0

Origin
synthetic
Note
Non-aromatic
IFRA
Generally safe
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is Cellulose, 2-hydroxyethyl ether?

Cellulose, 2-hydroxyethyl ether is a modified cellulose polymer commonly used as a thickener and stabilizer in cosmetics and personal care products. You’ll find it in lotions, shampoos, and other creamy formulations where texture control is important. While not a fragrance ingredient itself, it plays a crucial supporting role by modifying how fragrances release from products. Its ability to create smooth, stable emulsions helps fragrance oils disperse evenly and last longer on skin and hair.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
✓ Non-toxic and biocompatible
✓ Widely used in cosmetic formulations
CAS
9004-62-0
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Citrus · Floral
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Cellulose, 2-hydroxyethyl ether Smell Like?

This material is odorless, serving purely as a functional ingredient rather than contributing aromatic qualities. As a modified cellulose derivative, it provides viscosity control and emulsion stabilization without interfering with fragrance profiles. Its neutral character makes it compatible with virtually all scent families, from delicate florals to robust orientals.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

Hydroxyethylcellulose

SMILES: CC(COCC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2C(OC(C(C2OCC(C)O)OCC(C)O)OCC(C)O)COCC(C)O)OCC(C)O)OCC(C)O)OCC(C)O)O

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

Cellulose, 2-hydroxyethyl ether is produced by reacting cellulose with ethylene oxide, introducing hydroxyethyl groups that increase water solubility while maintaining the polymer backbone. The degree of substitution determines its thickening properties. Unlike pure cellulose, this ether derivative forms clear solutions in water and can stabilize oil-water interfaces, making it valuable for fragrance delivery systems.

Physical & Chemical Properties

AppearanceWhite to off-white powder
SolubilityWater-soluble

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Non-aromatic
Volatility
Non-volatile
Blending
Functional
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Lotions0.5-2%Up to 5%Viscosity modifier
Shampoos0.2-1%Up to 3%Stabilizer

Classic Accords

Tip: Use to modify fragrance release rates in water-based systems without affecting scent profile.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Hydroxypropyl cellulose CAS 9004-64-2

Offers similar thickening properties with slightly different solubility characteristics.

2
Carboxymethyl cellulose CAS 9000-11-7

Anionic alternative for systems requiring charged polymers.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

Not restricted by IFRA

RIFM Assessment

Considered safe for use in cosmetic applications by RIFM.

Sustainability

Derived from renewable cellulose sources, this synthetic polymer offers an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based thickeners. The production process can be optimized for minimal environmental impact through controlled reaction conditions and efficient purification methods.

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References

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

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    Ingredient Data Sheet

    CAS 9004-62-0

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight806.9 g/mol🔬 PubChem
    LogP (Octanol-Water)-3🔬 PubChem
    log Kp (skin permeability)-9.752💻 Calculated
    SMILESCC(COCC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2C(OC(C(C2OCC(C)O)OCC(C)O)OCC(C)O)COCC(C)O)OCC(C)O)OCC(C)O)OCC(C)O)O🔬 PubChem

    Odor & Flavor

    Primary Descriptorscitrusfloral• leffingwell
    Functional Groupsalcoholether💻 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: DTXSID1049643

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight 806.9 g/mol🔬 PubChem
    Density 2 g/cm^3🔬 PubChem

    Partition & Solubility

    LogP (Octanol-Water) -3 Log10 unitless🔬 PubChem

    Molecular Descriptors

    Topological Polar Surface Area 263.37 Ų💻 Computed
    H-Bond Donors 8 count💻 Computed
    H-Bond Acceptors 19 count💻 Computed
    Rotatable Bonds 28 count💻 Computed
    Molar Refractivity 191.93 cm^3/mol💻 Computed

    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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