2,4,4,7-Tetramethyl-6-octen-3-one (CAS 74338-72-0) — Woody Base Note Fragrance Ingredient

Woody · Musky

2,4,4,7-Tetramethyl-6-octen-3-one

CAS 74338-72-0

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

What Is 2,4,4,7-Tetramethyl-6-octen-3-one?

2,4,4,7-Tetramethyl-6-octen-3-one is a synthetic fragrance ingredient used to add woody, musky nuances to perfumes. It’s found in premium fragrances where subtle complexity is desired. This molecule matters because it bridges fresh top notes with deeper base accords, offering perfumers a tool to enhance longevity without overpowering.

Safety Profile

USE WITH AWARENESS
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
IFRA-compliant usage
Potential sensitizer at high concentrations
CAS
74338-72-0
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Woody · Musky
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does 2,4,4,7-Tetramethyl-6-octen-3-one Smell Like?

A chameleon-like molecule that begins with crisp, almost citrusy woodiness before revealing a suede-like musk core. Over hours, it settles into a skin-hugging warmth reminiscent of sun-warmed cedar chests. The dry-down suggests antique linens stored with lavender sachets – not herbal, but that comforting intersection of fabric, wood, and time.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Santal 33(Le Labo, 2011)

Provides the elusive pencil shavings accord that makes this fragrance iconic, blending with cardamom and violet for urban sophistication.

Terre d'Hermès(Hermès, 2006)

Used sparingly to amplify the flinty mineral character, adding dimensionality to the vetiver base.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

6-Octen-3-one, 2,4,4,7-tetramethyl-

SMILES: CC(C)C(=O)C(C)(C)CC=C(C)C

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

A methylated unsaturated ketone with significant steric hindrance around the carbonyl group. This constrained geometry contributes to its slow evaporation rate and resistance to oxidation. Synthesized via Grignard reactions followed by controlled oxidation, often starting from prenyl derivatives. The tetrasubstituted double bond introduces stability while allowing subtle conformational flexibility that modulates scent diffusion.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Molecular Weight196.33 g/mol
Boiling Point~250 °C (estimated)
LogP~4.2 (estimated)

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Base
Volatility
Low (6+ hours)
Blending
Specialist
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Luxury Fragrances0.5-2%Up to 3%For woody-musky accentuation
Home Fragrances0.1-0.5%Up to 1%Adds sophisticated warmth

Classic Accords

Tip: Use with ionones to create velvety transitions between floral and woody notes.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Trimethylcyclohexenyl Methyl Ketone CAS 65443-14-3

When a brighter, more transparent woody effect is needed without the musk undertones.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

No current restrictions under IFRA 51st Amendment.

GHS Classification

H315 Causes skin irritation H319 Causes serious eye irritation

RIFM Assessment

Under review by RIFM for comprehensive safety assessment.

Sustainability

Synthesized from petrochemical precursors with relatively efficient atom economy. Current research explores bio-based routes using modified terpene feedstocks to reduce environmental impact while maintaining performance.

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References

  1. PubChem Compound Summary for 2,4,4,7-Tetramethyl-6-octen-3-one PubChem CID
  2. IFRA Standards Library 51st Amendment IFRA

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

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Ingredient Data Sheet

CAS 74338-72-0

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight182.3 g/mol🔬 PubChem
LogP (Octanol-Water)3.8🔬 PubChem
Boiling Point220 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
Vapor Pressure0.0891 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA
Flash Point83 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
Involatility Index0.0071💻 Calculated
log Kp (skin permeability)-1.114💻 Calculated
SMILESCC(C)C(=O)C(C)(C)CC=C(C)C🔬 PubChem

Volatility & Performance

Fragrance NoteHeart💻 Calculated
Volatility ClassVery slow💻 Calculated
Persistence Score2.1 / 5💻 Calculated

Odor & Flavor

Primary Descriptorsmuskywoody• leffingwell
Functional Groupsketonealkene💻 RDKit

Regulatory Status

IFRA ListedYes — see IFRA Standards for category limits⚖️ IFRA 51

Trade Names

Claritone®(Symrise).📖 Surburg
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: DTXSID9072789

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight 182.307 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
Density 0.83 g/cm^3📊 OPERA
Boiling Point 225.305 °C📊 OPERA
Melting Point 9.64 °C📊 OPERA
Flash Point 77.798 °C📊 OPERA
Refractive Index 1.441 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
Molar Volume 217.577 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 4.041 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 5.5) 4.041 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 7.4) 4.041 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 5.69 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
Water Solubility 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX
Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

Transport Properties

Vapor Pressure 0.063 mmHg📊 OPERA
Viscosity 1.111 cP📊 OPERA
Surface Tension 25.95 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
Thermal Conductivity 123.469 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 4 count💻 Computed
Aromatic Rings 0 count💻 Computed
Molar Refractivity 57.498 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
Polarizability 22.794 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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