1-(Naphthyl)ethan-1-one (CAS 1333-52-4) — Musky Base Note Fragrance Ingredient

ByThe Good Scents
Musky · Woody

1-(Naphthyl)ethan-1-one

CAS 1333-52-4

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

What Is 1-(Naphthyl)ethan-1-one?

1-(Naphthyl)ethan-1-one is a synthetic aromatic compound used in perfumery for its unique scent profile. It’s found in niche fragrances and industrial applications. This ingredient matters because it offers a cost-effective alternative to natural musks, with better stability and consistency in formulations.

Safety Profile

USE WITH AWARENESS
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
⚠ Potential skin irritant – use diluted
⚠ Not recommended for sensitive skin
CAS
1333-52-4
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Musky · Woody
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does 1-(Naphthyl)ethan-1-one Smell Like?

1-(Naphthyl)ethan-1-one has a sharp, musky odor with floral undertones. It evolves from a bright, almost metallic top note to a warm, powdery dry-down. The scent is reminiscent of aged parchment with a hint of dried roses, making it useful for creating vintage-inspired accords.

Scent Profile
Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

Methyl naphthyl ketone

SMILES: CC(*)=O.C1=CC2=C(C=C1)C=CC=C2 |c:3,7,10,12,lp:3:2,m:2:5.4|

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

1-(Naphthyl)ethan-1-one is a synthetic aromatic ketone. It is typically produced via Friedel-Crafts acylation of naphthalene. The compound is valued for its stability and long-lasting scent profile, making it a popular choice in modern perfumery.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling PointNot available
DensityNot available

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Base
Volatility
Low (hours-days)
Blending
Good
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance1-3%Up to 5%Used as a fixative
Industrial5-10%Up to 15%Masking agent

Classic Accords

Tip: Use sparingly to avoid overpowering other notes.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Musk Ketone CAS 81-14-1

A more traditional musk with similar properties but higher cost.

2
Galaxolide CAS 1222-05-5

A modern synthetic musk with better safety profile.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

No IFRA restrictions currently apply.

GHS Classification

H315 Skin irritation H319 Eye irritation

RIFM Assessment

No RIFM safety assessment available.

Sustainability

Synthetic production ensures consistent quality and reduces environmental impact compared to natural musk extraction. The compound is biodegradable under normal conditions.

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References

  1. PubChem Compound Summary for 1-(Naphthyl)ethan-1-one PubChem CID

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

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Ingredient Data Sheet

CAS 1333-52-4
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: DTXSID801014585

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 2.922 dimensionless💻 Computed

Molecular Descriptors

Topological Polar Surface Area 17.07 Ų💻 Computed
H-Bond Donors 0 count💻 Computed
H-Bond Acceptors 1 count💻 Computed
Rotatable Bonds 0 count💻 Computed
Aromatic Rings 2 count💻 Computed

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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