Nerolidol (cis) (CAS 142-50-7) — Floral Heart Note Fragrance Ingredient
Nerolidol (cis)
CAS 142-50-7
What Is Nerolidol (cis)?
Nerolidol (cis) is a naturally occurring terpene alcohol found in small quantities in many essential oils like neroli, jasmine, and ginger. You might encounter its sweet, floral-woody scent in perfumes, soaps, and aromatherapy blends. This ingredient matters because it adds a delicate floral nuance to fragrances while also serving as a fixative, helping other scents last longer on the skin. Its subtle green apple and tea-like undertones make it particularly valuable in floral and oriental compositions.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Nerolidol (cis) Smell Like?
Cis-nerolidol unfolds with an initial burst of delicate floral sweetness reminiscent of apple blossoms and lily of the valley. As it develops, a refined woody character emerges, like freshly sanded cedar with a whisper of green tea. The dry-down reveals a subtle balsamic warmth, akin to sun-warmed tree bark with lingering floral echoes. Throughout its evolution, it maintains an airy quality – never heavy or cloying – making it ideal for creating transparent floral effects in modern perfumery.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used as a floral enhancer in the modern interpretation, adding luminosity to the jasmine-rose heart while smoothing the aldehydic top notes.
Contributes to the champagne-like floral effervescence, bridging the ylang-ylang and damask rose with its green-floral facets.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC(C)=CCC\C(C)=C/CC[C@](C)(O)C=C
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Cis-nerolidol is a sesquiterpene alcohol with the molecular formula C15H26O. As one of two geometric isomers (along with trans-nerolidol), its cis configuration contributes to its distinct floral character compared to the more woody trans form. Industrially produced through chemical synthesis from linalool or farnesene precursors, it’s increasingly made via biotechnological routes using engineered yeast strains. The molecule’s chirality and specific double bond geometry influence its odor profile and volatility.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 276 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.88 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.485 |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Floral modifier and fixative |
| Personal Care | 0.5-1% | Up to 2% | Subtle floral enhancer |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use to add diffusion and lift to heavy florals without increasing sweetness.
Alternatives & Comparisons
When a more pronounced floral-linden character is desired, though less stable in formulations.
For brighter floral effects with citrusy aspects, though less tenacious.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not restricted under current IFRA standards (as of 2023).
RIFM Assessment
RIFM evaluation confirms safe use at current industry levels.
Sustainability
While traditionally sourced from essential oil fractions, modern production increasingly uses sustainable biotech methods. Fermentation-derived cis-nerolidol offers consistent quality without seasonal variation or geographic limitations. The synthetic route avoids pressure on natural resources while maintaining biodegradability.
Explore Nerolidol (cis)
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References
- Brenna et al. (2003). Biotechnological production of flavor compounds. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. PMID XXXXX
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 142-50-7Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 222.37 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4.6🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 290 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -0.79💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC(=CCCC(=CCCC(C)(C=C)O)C)C🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Base💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | floralgreenwoody• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | alcoholalkene💻 RDKit |
| “green odor with remote resemblance to Apple Prod.: and Lily.”📖 Arctander | |
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: DTXSID4047048
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 222.372 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.858 g/cm^3📊 OPERA |
| Boiling Point | 276 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 8.604 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 104.98 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.48 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 255.616 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4.804 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 4.804 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 4.804 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 9.25 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.001 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.003 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Viscosity | 8.786 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 28.251 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 138.231 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 | 7 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 72.569 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 28.769 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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