Myrcenol (CAS 543-39-5) — Citrus Top to Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient

ByThe Good Scents
Citrus · Green

Myrcenol

CAS 543-39-5

Origin
synthetic
Note
Top to Middle
IFRA
Generally safe
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is Myrcenol?

Myrcenol is a synthetic fragrance ingredient commonly found in perfumes and personal care products. It contributes fresh, citrusy, and slightly woody notes that enhance modern floral and citrus compositions. This versatile molecule matters because it helps create vibrant, long-lasting scents while being more stable than some natural alternatives, making fragrances perform better in various formulations.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
✓ Safe in regulated products
⚠ Check for individual sensitivity
CAS
543-39-5
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Citrus · Green
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Myrcenol Smell Like?

Myrcenol opens with a crisp, citrusy burst reminiscent of freshly peeled lime zest, quickly revealing a green, slightly floral heart akin to crushed geranium leaves. As it dries down, it transforms into a subtle woody character with whispers of damp cedarwood and a clean, almost soapy finish. The evolution is linear yet dynamic, making it ideal for adding naturalistic freshness to synthetic accords.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Eternity for Men(Calvin Klein, 1989)

Used to amplify the fresh lavender and bergamot top notes while adding a modern woody-green nuance that distinguishes this classic masculine fragrance.

Light Blue(Dolce & Gabbana, 2001)

Provides the crisp citrus-woody backbone that supports the signature Sicilian lemon and apple notes, enhancing longevity without overpowering.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

2-Methyl-6-methylene-7-octen-2-ol

SMILES: CC(C)(O)CCCC(=C)C=C

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

Myrcenol is a monoterpenoid alcohol with the molecular formula C10H18O. It’s synthetically produced via hydration of myrcene, a common terpene found in many essential oils. The molecule exhibits chirality, with the (R)-enantiomer being more prevalent in nature. Industrial synthesis typically yields a racemic mixture unless specific catalysts are used. Its relatively simple structure makes it highly stable compared to more complex terpenoids.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling Point198 °C
Density0.865 g/cm³
Refractive Index1.469
Flash Point76 °C

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Top to Middle
Volatility
Medium (2-4 hours)
Blending
Excellent
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance5-12%Up to 20%Fresh top notes
Shampoos0.5-2%Up to 5%Clean, fresh character
Household Cleaners1-3%Up to 8%Boosts citrus freshness

Classic Accords

Tip: Use myrcenol to bridge citrus top notes with woody heart notes for seamless transitions.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Linalool CAS 78-70-6

When a more floral, less green character is desired in the heart note.

2
Citronellol CAS 106-22-9

For a rosier, sweeter profile while maintaining some citrus freshness.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

No IFRA restrictions. Approved for all applications.

EU Allergen Declaration

Not listed as an EU allergen.

RIFM Assessment

RIFM assessment confirms safe use at current industry levels.

Sustainability

As a synthetic material, myrcenol has consistent quality without natural variation. Production from myrcene (a byproduct of the pulp industry) makes it relatively sustainable. Unlike some natural alternatives, it doesn’t require agricultural land or contribute to deforestation. Future green chemistry approaches may further reduce its environmental footprint.

Explore Myrcenol

Browse essential oils and aroma compounds.

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References

  1. Bickers et al. (2003). Safety assessment of myrcenol. Food and Chemical Toxicology. PMID 14505838
  2. PubChem Compound Summary for Myrcenol CID 6549

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

Report a data error

Layer 3 · Practical

  • Odor Profile: floral, woody
  • Molecular Weight: 154.25 g/mol
  • LogP (XLogP): 3.00

Ingredient Data Sheet

CAS 543-39-5

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight154.25 g/mol🔬 PubChem
LogP (Octanol-Water)3🔬 PubChem
Boiling Point99 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
Flash Point84.8 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
log Kp (skin permeability)-1.511💻 Calculated
SMILESCC(C)(CCCC(=C)C=C)O🔬 PubChem

Volatility & Performance

Fragrance NoteTop💻 Calculated

Odor & Flavor

Primary Descriptorsfloralwoody• leffingwell
Functional Groupsalcoholalkene💻 RDKit
“Fresh, floral-Lime-like odor of moderate to poor tenacity. The Lime note is inevitably accompanied by woody notes, but should not show "piney" notes ("other alcohols").”📖 Arctander
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: DTXSID5027192

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight 154.253 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
Density 0.842 g/cm^3📊 OPERA
Boiling Point 209.303 °C📊 OPERA
Melting Point -18.463 °C📊 OPERA
Flash Point 84.875 °C🔬 EPA CTX
Refractive Index 1.455 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
Molar Volume 181.146 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 2.963 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 5.5) 2.963 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 7.4) 2.963 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 6.41 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
Water Solubility 0.005 mol/L📊 OPERA
Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

Transport Properties

Vapor Pressure 0.043 mmHg📊 OPERA
Viscosity 4.925 cP📊 OPERA
Surface Tension 28.065 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
Thermal Conductivity 137.613 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 5 count💻 Computed
Aromatic Rings 0 count💻 Computed
Molar Refractivity 49.172 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
Polarizability 19.493 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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