11-Oxahexadecanolide (CAS 3391-83-1) — Musky Base Note Fragrance Ingredient
11-Oxahexadecanolide
CAS 3391-83-1
What Is 11-Oxahexadecanolide?
11-Oxahexadecanolide is a synthetic musk used in perfumes and personal care products. It provides a clean, powdery scent often found in laundry detergents and fabric softeners. This ingredient matters because it mimics natural musks without relying on animal sources, making it a sustainable choice for modern fragrance formulations.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does 11-Oxahexadecanolide Smell Like?
11-Oxahexadecanolide offers a soft, powdery musk with a clean laundry-like freshness. It evolves subtly on the skin, starting with a faintly sweet, slightly floral impression before settling into a comforting, intimate dry-down. The scent is reminiscent of sun-dried linen, with a smooth, non-animalic character that blends seamlessly with other notes.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used here to enhance the fabric-softener accord, providing a lingering muskiness that mimics freshly laundered clothes.
Adds a subtle powdery depth to the vanilla and citrus notes, creating a skin-like sensuality.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: O=C1CCCCCCCCCOCCCCCO1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
11-Oxahexadecanolide is a macrocyclic lactone, part of the synthetic musk family. It is synthesized through ring-closing metathesis or lactonization of hydroxy acids. Unlike nitro musks, it is photostable and less likely to bioaccumulate, making it a preferred choice in modern perfumery.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | N/A |
|---|---|
| Density | N/A |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-5% | Up to 10% | Adds powdery depth |
| Laundry Care | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Enhances clean scent |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use to add a clean, powdery muskiness without overwhelming other notes.
Alternatives & Comparisons
A stronger synthetic musk with similar clean characteristics, often used in higher concentrations.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No IFRA restrictions. Approved for use in all categories.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM has assessed this ingredient as safe for current use levels.
Sustainability
Synthetic musks like 11-Oxahexadecanolide are preferred over animal-derived musks for ethical and sustainability reasons. They are produced in controlled environments, reducing environmental impact compared to traditional musk harvesting.
Explore 11-Oxahexadecanolide
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References
- PubChem: 11-Oxahexadecanolide PubChem
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID2052023
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 256.386 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.01 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 343 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 34 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 166 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.431 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 280.158 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.655 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 3.655 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 3.655 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 8.98 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 6.156 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 28.482 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 35.53 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 3 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 72.517 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 28.748 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.
