1-Methylcyclododecyl methyl ether (CAS 37514-30-0) — Woody Base Note Fragrance Ingredient

Woody · Musky

1-Methylcyclododecyl methyl ether

CAS 37514-30-0

Origin
synthetic
Note
Base
IFRA
Use with awareness
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is 1-Methylcyclododecyl methyl ether?

1-Methylcyclododecyl methyl ether is a synthetic fragrance ingredient used in modern perfumery. It’s found in niche and designer fragrances seeking unique woody-musk effects. This compound matters because it offers perfumers a stable, long-lasting base note that can enhance depth and diffusion in complex formulations without being overly dominant.

Safety Profile

USE WITH AWARENESS
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
Stable under normal conditions
Limited toxicological data available
CAS
37514-30-0
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Woody · Musky
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does 1-Methylcyclododecyl methyl ether Smell Like?

1-Methylcyclododecyl methyl ether presents a subtle yet persistent olfactory profile. Initially, it reveals a crisp, almost ozonic freshness reminiscent of chilled mountain air. This quickly transitions into a heart of smooth, velvety woods – imagine sandalwood sanded to satin perfection. The dry-down is where it shines: a whisper-soft musk emerges, like clean skin after a shower, underpinned by an almost imperceptible mineralic quality. Throughout its evolution, it maintains remarkable quiet intensity – never shouting, but impossible to ignore once detected.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Molecule 04(Escentric Molecules, 2011)

Used as the sole active ingredient to showcase its unique diffusive properties – creates an aura of clean, sophisticated musk that evolves subtly over hours.

Not a Perfume(Juliette Has a Gun, 2010)

Employed for its chameleon-like ability to adapt to skin chemistry, providing a transparent yet persistent base that amplifies other notes.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

Cyclododecane, 1-methoxy-1-methyl-

SMILES: COC1(C)CCCCCCCCCCC1

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

1-Methylcyclododecyl methyl ether belongs to the class of cyclic ethers, specifically a methyl-substituted cyclododecyl methyl ether. The molecule features a 12-membered carbon ring with a methoxy group at one position and a methyl group at another. Synthesis typically involves the methylation of cyclododecanol followed by selective oxidation. The large ring structure contributes to its excellent stability and slow evaporation rate, while the ether linkage provides subtle polarity that influences its diffusion properties.

Physical & Chemical Properties

AppearanceColorless to pale yellow liquid
Odor ThresholdExtremely low (high potency)

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Base
Volatility
Very low (12+ hours)
Blending
Excellent
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance1-3%Up to 5%Used for subtle diffusion enhancement
Functional Fragrance0.5-1%Up to 2%Provides clean background note

Classic Accords

Tip: Use as a transparent fixative to ‘lift’ other base notes without adding significant character.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Ambroxan CAS 6790-58-5

When seeking more pronounced ambery-woody effects with similar diffusion properties.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

Not currently restricted by IFRA standards.

RIFM Assessment

Under review by RIFM as of 2023, preliminary data suggests low sensitization potential.

Sustainability

As a synthetic material, production can be carefully controlled to minimize environmental impact. No known issues with unsustainable sourcing since it’s not derived from natural materials. The manufacturing process can be optimized for energy efficiency given its synthetic nature.

Explore 1-Methylcyclododecyl methyl ether

Browse essential oils and aroma compounds.

Browse on iHerb →

Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

References

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

    Report a data error

    Physicochemical Properties

    DTXSID: DTXSID4068034

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight 212.377 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
    Density 0.843 g/cm^3📊 OPERA
    Boiling Point 269.212 °C📊 OPERA
    Melting Point -15.004 °C📊 OPERA
    Flash Point 105.111 °C📊 OPERA
    Refractive Index 1.45 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
    Molar Volume 247.581 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

    Partition & Solubility

    LogP (Octanol-Water) 5.922 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogD (pH 5.5) 5.922 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogD (pH 7.4) 5.922 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 6.87 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    Water Solubility 0 mol/L📊 OPERA
    Henry's Law Constant 0.001 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

    Transport Properties

    Vapor Pressure 0.013 mmHg📊 OPERA
    Viscosity 6.551 cP📊 OPERA
    Surface Tension 29.47 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
    Thermal Conductivity 132.987 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 1 count💻 Computed
    Aromatic Rings 0 count💻 Computed
    Molar Refractivity 66.574 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
    Polarizability 26.392 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.

    Similar Posts