1-(1-Naphthyl)ethanone (CAS 941-98-0) — Woody Base Note Fragrance Ingredient

ByThe Good Scents
Woody · Balsamic

1-(1-Naphthyl)ethanone

CAS 941-98-0

Origin
synthetic
Note
Base
IFRA
Professional use
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is 1-(1-Naphthyl)ethanone?

1-(1-Naphthyl)ethanone is a synthetic aromatic compound not commonly encountered in everyday products. It’s primarily used in specialized fragrance formulations and industrial applications. This ingredient is valued by perfumers for its unique aromatic properties, though it’s not a mainstream component in consumer goods.

Safety Profile

PROFESSIONAL USE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
⚠ Limited safety data available
⚠ Professional handling recommended
CAS
941-98-0
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Woody · Balsamic
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does 1-(1-Naphthyl)ethanone Smell Like?

1-(1-Naphthyl)ethanone presents a complex aromatic profile with sharp, slightly medicinal top notes that evolve into a warm, woody-naphthalenic heart. The dry-down reveals persistent musky undertones with a faintly sweet, almost tar-like character. Its odor profile is reminiscent of aged books mixed with mothballs, but with more refined aromatic nuances.

Scent Profile
Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

1'-Acetonaphthone

SMILES: CC(=O)C1=CC=CC2=CC=CC=C12

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

1-(1-Naphthyl)ethanone is a synthetic aromatic ketone belonging to the naphthalene derivative family. It’s produced through Friedel-Crafts acylation of naphthalene. The compound features a ketone group attached to the α-position of naphthalene, creating a planar aromatic system with distinctive electronic properties. Its synthesis typically involves acetyl chloride and aluminum chloride as catalyst.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Base
Volatility
Low (hours to days)
Blending
Specialized
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance0.1-0.5%Up to 1%Used as a fixative and modifier
Industrial1-5%Up to 10%For specialty applications

Classic Accords

Tip: Use sparingly as it can dominate compositions and cause discoloration.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
1-(2-Naphthyl)ethanone CAS 93-08-3

Similar aromatic profile but with slightly sweeter, less medicinal character.

2
Methyl naphthyl ketone CAS 941-98-0

More commonly used isomer with comparable properties.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

No specific IFRA restrictions currently apply to this compound.

RIFM Assessment

Limited RIFM assessment data available for this compound.

Sustainability

As a synthetic compound, 1-(1-Naphthyl)ethanone is produced through petrochemical routes with standard industrial environmental impacts. Its specialized use means production volumes are relatively low compared to mainstream fragrance ingredients. Proper waste management is recommended during synthesis and formulation.

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References

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

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    Ingredient Data Sheet

    CAS 941-98-0

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight170.21 g/mol🔬 PubChem
    LogP (Octanol-Water)2.9🔬 PubChem
    Boiling Point297 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
    Vapor Pressure0.0004 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA
    Flash Point113 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
    log Kp (skin permeability)-1.679💻 Calculated
    SMILESCC(=O)C1=CC=CC2=CC=CC=C21🔬 PubChem

    Volatility & Performance

    Fragrance NoteBase💻 Calculated
    Volatility ClassVery slow💻 Calculated
    Persistence Score6 / 5💻 Calculated

    Odor & Flavor

    Primary Descriptorsorange• leffingwell
    Functional Groupsketonearomatic💻 RDKit
    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: DTXSID4052635

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight 170.211 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
    Density 1.117 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX
    Boiling Point 301.2 °C🔬 EPA CTX
    Melting Point 18.62 °C🔬 EPA CTX
    Flash Point 120.95 °C🔬 EPA CTX
    Refractive Index 1.615 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
    Molar Volume 155.08 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

    Partition & Solubility

    LogP (Octanol-Water) 2.938 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX
    LogD (pH 5.5) 3.05 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogD (pH 7.4) 3.05 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 6.91 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    Water Solubility 0.001 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX
    Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

    Transport Properties

    Vapor Pressure 0.001 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX
    Viscosity 6.546 cP📊 OPERA
    Surface Tension 42.263 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
    Thermal Conductivity 135.387 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA

    Molecular Descriptors

    Topological Polar Surface Area 17.07 Ų💻 Computed
    H-Bond Donors 0 count💻 Computed
    H-Bond Acceptors 1 count💻 Computed
    Rotatable Bonds 1 count💻 Computed
    Aromatic Rings 2 count💻 Computed
    Molar Refractivity 54.123 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
    Polarizability 21.456 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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