Ethylene dodecanedioate (CAS 54982-83-1) — Musky Base Note Fragrance Ingredient
Ethylene dodecanedioate
CAS 54982-83-1
What Is Ethylene dodecanedioate?
Ethylene dodecanedioate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient primarily used as a musk-like fixative in perfumery. It appears in high-end fragrances, particularly those aiming for a clean, powdery dry-down. This molecule matters because it provides long-lasting warmth without animalic qualities, making it valuable for modern musks that need to comply with ethical sourcing standards.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Ethylene dodecanedioate Smell Like?
Ethylene dodecanedioate unfolds as a diaphanous musk with the texture of powdered vanilla beans and the cleanliness of sun-dried linen. Initially muted, it develops into a radiant warmth reminiscent of skin musk after a summer shower. The dry-down exhibits remarkable tenacity, leaving a faintly sweet, almost talcum-like trail that lingers for hours without overwhelming.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
This minimalist fragrance showcases ethylene dodecanedioate as the sole active ingredient, demonstrating its capacity to create a subtle yet persistent skin-hugging musk.
Used here to amplify the clean musk accord, providing a synthetic alternative to traditional animalic musks while maintaining warmth.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: O=C1CCCCCCCCCCC(=O)OCCO1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Ethylene dodecanedioate belongs to the ester class, synthesized through esterification of dodecanedioic acid with ethylene glycol. The linear C12 structure contributes to its musk-like character while the diester configuration enhances stability. Unlike macrocyclic musks, this compound lacks ring strain, making it more synthetically accessible. The absence of chiral centers simplifies production.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| State | White crystalline solid |
|---|---|
| Melting Point | 78-82°C (literature) |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Musk foundation |
| Detergents | 0.1-0.3% | Up to 1% | Fabric substantivity |
Classic Accords
Tip: Best added during the alcohol phase for complete dissolution before incorporating volatile top notes.
Alternatives & Comparisons
A more floral-leaning synthetic musk with similar substantivity but brighter tonal qualities.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No IFRA restrictions as of Amendment 49 (2022).
RIFM Assessment
Under evaluation by RIFM’s Novel Materials program (2023).
Sustainability
As a fully synthetic material, production avoids animal-derived ingredients and doesn’t deplete natural resources. The manufacturing process employs standard petrochemical feedstocks with moderate energy requirements.
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References
- IFRA Standards Library (2022). Amendment 49. IFRA
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 54982-83-1Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 256.34 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.6🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 337.3 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.0002 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 166 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -1.708💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | C1CCCCCC(=O)OCCOC(=O)CCCC1🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Base💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 8 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | balsamicmusky• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | esterether💻 RDKit |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 0.01 ppm📖 van Gemert |
Trade Names
| MC-4 (Soda Aromatic), Zenolide (IFF), Musk YH (Yinghai).📖 Surburg |
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: DTXSID1044568
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 256.342 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.059 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 337.3 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 17.573 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 166 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.439 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 258.918 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.65 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 3.182 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 3.182 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 9.45 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 6.59 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 31.277 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 52.6 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 4 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 68.036 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 26.972 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.
