2,6-Dimethyl-4-heptanol (CAS 108-82-7) — Green Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient

Green · Citrus

2,6-Dimethyl-4-heptanol

CAS 108-82-7

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

What Is 2,6-Dimethyl-4-heptanol?

2,6-Dimethyl-4-heptanol is a synthetic alcohol used in perfumery to create fresh, green, and slightly woody scent profiles. It’s commonly found in household cleaners, air fresheners, and some citrus-based fragrances. This ingredient matters because it adds a crisp, clean character to compositions while being cost-effective and stable in formulations.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
No major restrictions
Mild skin sensitivity possible
CAS
108-82-7
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Green · Citrus
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does 2,6-Dimethyl-4-heptanol Smell Like?

2,6-Dimethyl-4-heptanol presents a fresh, green aroma with subtle woody undertones. Imagine crushed stems after rainfall – that initial burst of chlorophyll-like greenness gradually softening into a clean, slightly sweet woodiness. It lacks the harshness of some synthetic alcohols, instead offering a rounded character that blends well with citrus and herbal notes. The dry-down is surprisingly persistent for its molecular weight, leaving a faint trace of polished wood surfaces.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Eau Sauvage(Dior, 1966)

Used as a green modifier to enhance the citrus-herbal freshness, contributing to the fragrance’s iconic crispness without overpowering the natural citrus oils.

Green Irish Tweed(Creed, 1985)

Helps bridge the violet leaf and sandalwood notes, adding a transparent green quality that prevents the composition from becoming too heavy.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

2,6-Dimethyl-4-heptanol

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

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

2,6-Dimethyl-4-heptanol is a branched-chain aliphatic alcohol. As a synthetic material, it’s typically produced through hydroformylation of diisobutylene followed by hydrogenation. The branching at positions 2 and 6 creates steric hindrance that affects both its volatility and odor characteristics. While not chiral itself, its structure influences how it interacts with chiral receptors in olfaction.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling PointNot available
DensityNot available

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Middle
Volatility
Medium (2-4 hours)
Blending
Good
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance1-3%Up to 5%Green modifier
Functional Fragrances0.5-2%Up to 3%Clean, fresh character

Classic Accords

Tip: Use to add transparency to heavy green notes without increasing harshness.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Leaf Alcohol CAS 928-96-1

For more intense green character but less stability

2
Tetrahydrogeraniol CAS 106-21-8

When more floral-sweet character is desired

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

No IFRA restrictions apply

RIFM Assessment

Considered safe for current use levels based on RIFM data.

Sustainability

As a synthetic material, 2,6-Dimethyl-4-heptanol has minimal environmental impact in production. Its efficient synthesis from petrochemical feedstocks makes it more sustainable than some natural alternatives requiring agricultural land use. The material’s stability reduces formulation waste.

Explore 2,6-Dimethyl-4-heptanol

Browse essential oils and aroma compounds.

Browse on iHerb →

Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

References

  1. Bauer et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH.

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

Report a data error

Physicochemical Properties

DTXSID: DTXSID8026802

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight 144.258 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
Density 0.811 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX
Boiling Point 176.33 °C🔬 EPA CTX
Melting Point -65 °C🔬 EPA CTX
Flash Point 68.852 °C🔬 EPA CTX
Refractive Index 1.427 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
Molar Volume 175.732 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 3.13 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX
LogD (pH 5.5) 3.178 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 7.4) 3.178 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 5.82 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
Water Solubility 0.004 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX
Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole🔬 EPA CTX

Transport Properties

Vapor Pressure 0.979 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX
Viscosity 4.058 cP📊 OPERA
Surface Tension 25.366 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
Thermal Conductivity 131.985 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 0 count💻 Computed
Molar Refractivity 45.156 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
Polarizability 17.901 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.

Similar Posts