10-Undecenal (CAS 112-45-8) — Citrus Top to middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
10-Undecenal
CAS 112-45-8
What Is 10-Undecenal?
10-Undecenal is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with a powerful, waxy, citrus-like odor. It’s commonly found in perfumes, soaps, and detergents. This aldehyde is valued for its ability to add a fresh, slightly metallic edge to floral and citrus compositions, often used to create modern, clean scent profiles.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does 10-Undecenal Smell Like?
10-Undecenal bursts with a sharp, citrusy-aldehydic character reminiscent of crushed lemon peel with waxy undertones. The initial impression is intensely fresh, almost metallic, evolving into a cleaner, soapy heart with subtle floral nuances. As it dries down, it reveals a faintly fatty, slightly animalic base that adds complexity. The overall effect is like a high-tech interpretation of citrus – brighter and more synthetic than natural citrus oils, with a lingering clean laundry effect.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used as part of the modern aldehyde bouquet to create that signature sparkling top note. The waxy-citrus character of 10-undecenal complements the more floral aldehydes in the composition.
Contributes to the crisp, clean laundry effect with its sharp aldehydic character. The citrus-waxy facets enhance the perception of freshness without using actual citrus oils.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: C=CCCCCCCCCC=O
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
10-Undecenal is an unsaturated aldehyde with the chemical formula C11H20O. As an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde, it’s part of a class known for their reactivity and strong odors. Industrially produced through the oxidation of undecenol or via hydroformylation of 1,10-undecadiene. The trans isomer is more commonly used in perfumery due to its cleaner odor profile compared to the cis form. The double bond at the 10 position makes it less reactive than shorter-chain unsaturated aldehydes, contributing to better stability in formulations.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 235 °C |
|---|---|
| Flash Point | >100 °C |
| Density | 0.84 g/cm³ |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Used sparingly for aldehyde effect |
| Soaps/Detergents | 0.01-0.1% | Up to 0.3% | Adds freshness at low levels |
| Functional Products | 0.001-0.01% | Up to 0.05% | Masking agent for harsh odors |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use in trace amounts to brighten floral compositions without overwhelming the blend.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Undecanal has a more floral, less citrusy character while maintaining similar waxy aldehydic properties. Better for softer compositions.
Positional isomer with more intense, fatty-green character. Use when a more aggressive aldehyde effect is desired.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No specific restrictions under current IFRA standards (as of 49th Amendment). General aldehyde precautions apply.
EU Allergen Declaration
Not listed in EU allergen declaration requirements.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM has evaluated 10-undecenal and established safe use levels based on skin sensitization potential.
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, 10-undecenal production doesn’t rely on natural resources. Modern manufacturing processes aim to minimize environmental impact through efficient catalysis and waste reduction. Being used in very small quantities in formulations, its overall ecological footprint is relatively low compared to materials requiring higher usage levels.
Explore 10-Undecenal
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References
- Bauer, K. et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH.
- Arctander, S. (1969). Perfume and Flavor Chemicals. Allured Publishing.
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 112-45-8Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 168.28 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.8🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 98 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Flash Point | 100 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -1.029💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | C=CCCCCCCCCC=O🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Top💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | citrusfattyrosewaxy• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | aldehydealkene💻 RDKit |
| “Powerful, mildly waxy, rosy-citrusy odor of moderate to good tenacity. The odor could be classified as one of the prototypes of the term: "aldehydic" odor.”📖 Arctander | |
| 10-Undecenal has a characteristic fatty, rose odor on dilution. It has an unpleasant sweet, fatty taste. This compound tends to polymerize.📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “Concentrations below 1 ppm have pleasant, refreshing fruity-citrusy taste, preferably in presence of food acid. The aldehyde is used in minute traces - about 0.1 to 0.3 ppm in finished products - for imitation Citrus flavors, and in various fruity and floral flavor types. The 2-Undecen-1-al is undou”📖 Arctander |
Regulatory Status
| FEMA Number | FEMA 3095⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| GRAS Status | Generally Recognized as Safe⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
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: DTXSID3037757
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 168.28 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.837 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 235 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 7 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 78.025 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.436 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 202.522 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.414 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 4.042 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 4.042 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 5.88 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0.001 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.05 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Viscosity | 2.091 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 28.436 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 146.2 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 | 9 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 52.923 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 20.98 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.
