Rhodinol (CAS 6812-78-8) — Floral Top to Heart Note Fragrance Ingredient
Rhodinol
CAS 6812-78-8
What Is Rhodinol?
Rhodinol is a key synthetic aroma molecule used to create rosy, floral scents in perfumes and personal care products. Consumers encounter it in rose-themed fragrances, soaps, and lotions where it provides a fresh, dewy rose character without using natural rose oil. This ingredient matters because it offers perfumers an affordable, consistent alternative to natural rose derivatives while allowing creative flexibility in floral compositions.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Rhodinol Smell Like?
Rhodinol blooms with an immediate burst of fresh rose petals – imagine dew-kissed garden roses at dawn with a crisp green steminess. The heart reveals subtle citrus undertones like bergamot tea, while the dry-down softens into a creamy, slightly honeyed floral reminiscent of rosewater baklava. Unlike some rose alcohols, it maintains excellent diffusion without becoming cloying, fading gracefully like rose petals dropping one by one.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used here to create the photorealistic rose heart supported by lychee, amplifying the fresh-picked quality while avoiding jammy depth.
Provides the radiant rose core that contrasts with cumin and cedar, achieving the fragrance’s signature dirty-clean tension.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: C[C@H](CCO)CCCC(C)=C
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Rhodinol is a monoterpenoid alcohol, specifically a mixture of stereoisomers of 3,7-dimethyloct-7-en-1-ol. While originally isolated from geranium oil, modern production occurs via hydrogenation of citronellal followed by fractional distillation. The l-isomer (found in nature) exhibits stronger floral character than the synthetic racemic mixture. Chirality significantly impacts odor profile – the naturally occurring (-)-(R)-enantiomer smells markedly more floral and less harsh than its synthetic counterpart.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 225-226 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.860 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.463-1.473 |
| Flash Point | 101 °C |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 5-12% | Up to 20% | Core floral modifier |
| Soaps/Detergents | 0.5-3% | Up to 5% | Provides floral lift |
Classic Accords
Tip: Combine with damascones to add naturalistic depth to rose reconstructions.
Alternatives & Comparisons
When a simpler, more citrus-tinged rose character is needed with higher volatility.
For a honeyed, narcotic rose effect with greater tenacity and less greenness.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No restrictions under IFRA 49th Amendment. Recommended maximum 20% in fragrance compound.
EU Allergen Declaration
Not listed in EU Cosmetics Regulation Annex III allergen declaration requirements.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM safety assessment completed (2005) – safe for current use levels in cosmetics.
Sustainability
Synthetic production avoids agricultural impacts of rose cultivation while providing consistent quality. Derived from renewable turpentine feedstocks in modern production. Biodegradability estimated at >90% in 28 days per OECD 301 guidelines.
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References
- Bickers et al. (2003). Safety assessment of fragrance ingredients. Food and Chemical Toxicology. PMID 12804643
- Brenna et al. (2003). Odor detection thresholds of enantiomers of rhodinol. Chirality. DOI 10.1002/chir.10210
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 6812-78-8Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 156.26 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.5🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 222 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.0661 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 82.3 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.0057💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -1.168💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC(CCCC(=C)C)CCO🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Heart💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 2.2 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | citrusfloralrosesweetwaxy• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | alcoholalkene💻 RDKit |
| “The perfumers seem to be purpose of making “Rhodinol coeur” is to generally in agreement that the composition have an extremely rosy-floral, sweet and of fractions from vacuum- or steam-distilled, clean material as a base for many types of saponified Geranium oil is the preferable per- floral fragrance, particularly for Muguet.”📖 Arctander | |
| Rhodinol has a very pleasant, rose-like odor.📖 Fenaroli | |
Regulatory Status
| IFRA Listed | Yes — see IFRA Standards for category limits⚖️ IFRA 51 |
| IOFI Classification | Nature Identical📖 Fenaroli |
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: DTXSID1047233
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 156.269 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.838 g/cm^3📊 OPERA |
| Boiling Point | 220.724 °C📊 OPERA |
| Melting Point | 0.073 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 86.148 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.443 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 186.38 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.247 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 3.247 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 3.247 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 7.19 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.002 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.038 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Viscosity | 5.414 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 28.231 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 140.783 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 | 6 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 49.439 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 19.599 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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