Eucalyptol (CAS 470-82-6) — Green Top to Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Eucalyptol
CAS 470-82-6
What Is Eucalyptol?
Eucalyptol is a fresh, camphoraceous compound found naturally in eucalyptus oil and used in many minty or medicinal-smelling products. You’ll encounter it in cough drops, chest rubs, and cooling fragrances. This versatile ingredient matters because it provides that instantly recognizable ‘clean’ sensation while also having antimicrobial properties that make it useful in therapeutic applications.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Eucalyptol Smell Like?
Eucalyptol bursts forth with an invigorating, icy-clean aroma reminiscent of crushed eucalyptus leaves in a mountain stream. The initial blast is sharply medicinal – like opening a tin of potent cough drops – but quickly settles into a smoother, minty-herbal character. As it dries down, subtle woody undertones emerge, creating a cooling sensation that lingers like a mentholated whisper. The overall effect is bracing yet balanced, with none of the harshness associated with simpler camphoraceous materials.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used here for its energizing, therapeutic qualities that complement the citrus-herbal accord, creating a fragrance that feels like an aromatherapy treatment.
Takes center stage in this minimalist composition, showcasing its crisp, clean character with mint and sage for a spa-like freshness.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC12CCC(CC1)C(C)(C)O2
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Eucalyptol (1,8-cineole) is a monoterpenoid ether with a bicyclic structure. While abundant in eucalyptus oil (up to 90%), it’s also found in bay leaves, tea tree, and rosemary. Industrially produced by fractional distillation of eucalyptus oil or synthesized from α-pinene. The molecule’s rigid oxygen-containing ring gives it both volatility and stability, explaining its persistence in fragrance applications. Unlike many terpenes, it’s relatively resistant to oxidation.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 176 °C |
|---|---|
| Flash Point | 54 °C |
| Density | 0.922 g/cm³ |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-5% | Up to 10% | Fresh top note in fougères |
| Functional Fragrance | 5-15% | Up to 20% | Cleaning products, air fresheners |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use to add cooling sensation to masculine fougères or boost the ‘clean linen’ effect in detergent-type fragrances.
Alternatives & Comparisons
When a more complex, natural profile is desired with additional terpenes that round out the harshness of pure eucalyptol.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No IFRA restrictions. Listed as safe for all applications.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM evaluation confirms safety at current use levels in fragrance applications.
Sustainability
Most commercial eucalyptol is derived from sustainable eucalyptus plantations in China and Portugal. Synthetic production from turpentine byproducts reduces pressure on natural sources. Biodegradable with low environmental persistence.
Explore Eucalyptol
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References
- PubChem Compound Summary for Eucalyptol CID 2758
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 470-82-6Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 154.25 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.5🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 176.1 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 1.9 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 9.4 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.1649💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -1.866💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC1(C2CCC(O1)(CC2)C)C🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Top💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Moderate💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 0.5 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | camphoraceousfresh• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | ether💻 RDKit |
| “reject the odor of Eucalyptus for oral-hygienic purposes, etc. Similar viewpoints have been observed about the use of Methylsalicylate in dentifrice in many European countries. Peculiarly enough, Methylsalicylate is still a popular candy-, soft-drink- and toothpaste flavor in the U.S.A., where the ester at the same time is used as a masking agent in toilet-bowl cleaners!”📖 Arctander | |
| Eucalyptol has a characteristic camphoraceous odor and fresh, pungent, cooling taste.📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “Fresh, diffusive, camphoraceous-cool odor of poor tenacity. Sweet and fresh, cool-camphoraceous taste and cool mothfeel unless very highly concentrated. reject the odor of Eucalyptus for oral-hygienic purposes, etc. Similar viewpoints have been observed about the use of Methylsalicylate in dentifric”📖 Arctander |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 0.1018 ppm (n=31)📖 van Gemert |
Regulatory Status
| EU Annex III | Listed (restricted)⚖️ IFRA 51 |
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2465⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| GRAS Status | Generally Recognized as Safe⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
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: DTXSID4020616
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 154.253 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.924 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 176.511 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 7.044 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 50.05 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.461 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 167.159 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.71 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 2.737 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 2.737 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 4.43 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.018 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole🔬 EPA CTX |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 1.53 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 2.907 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 30.022 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 109.58 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 9.23 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 45.87 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 18.184 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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