1-Phenyl-3-methyl-3-pentanol (CAS 10415-87-9) — Floral Heart Note Fragrance Ingredient

Floral · Woody

1-Phenyl-3-methyl-3-pentanol

CAS 10415-87-9

Origin
synthetic
Note
Heart
IFRA
Generally safe
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is 1-Phenyl-3-methyl-3-pentanol?

1-Phenyl-3-methyl-3-pentanol is a synthetic fragrance ingredient used in perfumes and scented products. It contributes to floral and woody accords, often found in fine fragrances and personal care items. This molecule matters because it adds depth and longevity to scent compositions, helping create balanced, sophisticated aromas that evolve beautifully on skin.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
Safe in regulated products
Check for individual sensitivity
CAS
10415-87-9
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Floral · Woody
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does 1-Phenyl-3-methyl-3-pentanol Smell Like?

1-Phenyl-3-methyl-3-pentanol offers a complex olfactory profile that unfolds in stages. Initially, it presents a fresh, slightly floral character reminiscent of lily-of-the-valley with a subtle green nuance. As it develops, the heart reveals a soft woody undertone with hints of rose petals. The dry-down is warm and musky, leaving a clean yet persistent trail. Its evolution is smooth, transitioning seamlessly from bright top notes to a comforting base that lingers without overwhelming.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Chance Eau Tendre(Chanel, 2010)

Used here to enhance the floral heart with its soft woody-musky character, providing a clean yet sophisticated backdrop to the quince and jasmine notes.

Idôle(Lancôme, 2019)

Contributes to the modern floral bouquet, adding depth and longevity while maintaining the fragrance’s airy, luminous quality.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

Benzenepropanol, .alpha.-ethyl-.alpha.-methyl-

SMILES: CCC(C)(O)CCC1=CC=CC=C1

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

1-Phenyl-3-methyl-3-pentanol belongs to the phenyl alcohol class, characterized by a benzene ring attached to an alcohol group. It is exclusively synthetic, typically produced through Grignard reactions or hydrogenation of corresponding ketones. The molecule’s structure allows for good stability and moderate volatility, making it valuable in perfumery. Its chiral centers (if present) could influence odor characteristics, though commercial versions are usually racemic mixtures.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling PointNot available
DensityNot available

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Heart
Volatility
Moderate (2-4 hours)
Blending
Good
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance1-5%Up to 10%Floral-woody modifier
Soap0.5-2%Up to 3%Adds clean floral character

Classic Accords

Tip: Use as a bridge between floral top notes and woody base notes for seamless transitions.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Phenethyl alcohol CAS 60-12-8

For a more straightforward rosy floral character without the woody-musky complexity.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

No IFRA restrictions currently apply to this material.

RIFM Assessment

Currently under evaluation by RIFM; preliminary data suggests safe use at current levels.

Sustainability

As a synthetic material, 1-Phenyl-3-methyl-3-pentanol has minimal environmental impact in production compared to some natural alternatives. Its consistent quality and availability make it a reliable choice for sustainable fragrance development when natural ingredients may be scarce or ethically questionable.

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References

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

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    Ingredient Data Sheet

    CAS 10415-87-9

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight178.27 g/mol🔬 PubChem
    LogP (Octanol-Water)3🔬 PubChem
    Boiling Point112 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
    log Kp (skin permeability)-1.657💻 Calculated
    SMILESCCC(C)(CCC1=CC=CC=C1)O🔬 PubChem

    Volatility & Performance

    Fragrance NoteTop💻 Calculated

    Odor & Flavor

    Primary Descriptorsfloralfruityrose• leffingwell
    Functional Groupsalcoholaromatic💻 RDKit
    “Its low vapor pressure may tempt the observer to think that it is a weak odor, but it is certainly not. Its power is also demonstrated in flavors, where traces of about 1 ppm are quite perceptible with warm-fruit notes. Its fixative effect is also utilized in various fruit complexes, and the concentration in finished products is normally as low as 0.2 to 0.8 ppm.”📖 Arctander
    1-Phenyl-3-methyl-3-pentanol has a warm, rose-like odor and a fruity, green taste.📖 Fenaroli

    Flavor Notes (Arctander)

    “Its low vapor pressure may tempt the observer to think that it is a weak odor, but it is certainly not. Its power is also demonstrated in flavors, where traces of about 1 ppm are quite perceptible with warm-fruit notes. Its fixative effect is also utilized in various fruit complexes, and the concent”📖 Arctander

    Sensory Thresholds

    Odor Detection Threshold0.1262 ppm (n=4)📖 van Gemert

    Regulatory Status

    FEMA NumberFEMA 2883⚖️ FEMA GRAS
    GRAS StatusGenerally Recognized as Safe⚖️ FEMA GRAS
    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: DTXSID60864266

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight 178.275 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
    Density 0.956 g/cm^3📊 OPERA
    Boiling Point 262.123 °C📊 OPERA
    Melting Point 19.482 °C📊 OPERA
    Flash Point 115.213 °C📊 OPERA
    Refractive Index 1.513 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
    Molar Volume 185.832 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

    Partition & Solubility

    LogP (Octanol-Water) 3.424 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogD (pH 5.5) 3.424 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogD (pH 7.4) 3.424 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 8.42 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    Water Solubility 0.003 mol/L📊 OPERA
    Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

    Transport Properties

    Vapor Pressure 0.01 mmHg📊 OPERA
    Viscosity 11.437 cP📊 OPERA
    Surface Tension 34.246 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
    Thermal Conductivity 142.581 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 4 count💻 Computed
    Aromatic Rings 1 count💻 Computed
    Molar Refractivity 55.834 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
    Polarizability 22.134 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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