2,6-Dimethylpyridine (CAS 108-48-5) — Green Top to Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
2,6-Dimethylpyridine
CAS 108-48-5
What Is 2,6-Dimethylpyridine?
2,6-Dimethylpyridine is a synthetic compound used in flavorings and fragrances. It imparts a sharp, green, and slightly nutty aroma. Consumers might encounter it in niche perfumes or industrial applications. This ingredient matters because it adds unique metallic-green nuances to fragrances, creating modern, avant-garde scent profiles.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does 2,6-Dimethylpyridine Smell Like?
2,6-Dimethylpyridine opens with a sharp, metallic-green burst reminiscent of crushed leaves and unripe nuts. The heart reveals a peculiar interplay of earthy pyridine tones with faintly sweet, corn-like undertones. Dry-down is surprisingly clean, leaving a whisper of warm hay and distant tobacco. Its evolution is linear but intriguing, like a scientific instrument slowly warming to reveal hidden complexities.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used for its stark green modernity, creating an ‘anti-perfume’ aesthetic that smells like a laboratory’s idea of nature.
Provides metallic verisimilitude to the hyper-realistic green accord, like chlorophyll extracted with surgical precision.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC1=CC=CC(C)=N1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
2,6-Dimethylpyridine is an aromatic heterocyclic compound belonging to the pyridine class. Industrially produced through coal tar distillation or catalytic synthesis from acetaldehyde and ammonia. The symmetrical substitution pattern at the 2 and 6 positions creates unique steric and electronic properties. While not chiral, the methyl groups influence its hydrogen bonding capacity and volatility profile compared to unsubstituted pyridine.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 144-146 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.925 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.497 |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conceptual Fragrances | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | For avant-garde metallic effects |
| Industrial Applications | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Masking agent for chemical odors |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use sparingly with ionones to soften its sharp edges while maintaining projection.
Alternatives & Comparisons
When a more popcorn-like nuance is desired without the metallic harshness.
For simpler, more straightforward nitrogenous character in industrial applications.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not currently restricted by IFRA. Listed as safe when used at recommended levels.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM has not conducted a formal safety assessment due to limited fragrance use.
Sustainability
Synthesized from petrochemical feedstocks with moderate energy requirements. Not biodegradable but used in such small quantities that environmental impact is negligible. No known natural sources, making synthetic production the only viable route.
Explore 2,6-Dimethylpyridine
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References
- PubChem Compound Summary for 2,6-Dimethylpyridine CID 7939
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 108-48-5Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 107.15 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 1.7🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 144 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 5.65 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 33 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.5883💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -2.147💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC1=NC(=CC=C1)C🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Top💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Moderate💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 0.5 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | greenherbalnutty• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | aromatic💻 RDKit |
| “nauseating-ethereal-herbaceous odor with sweet, breadlike undertones. Its topnote has been compared to the odor of human breath after Vitamin B-12-injection. Has been suggested for use in perfume compositions to introduce sweet, meat-like, "smoky" notes, e.g. in artificial Oakmoss, etc.”📖 Arctander | |
| 2,6-Dimethylpyridine has a powerful and diffusive minty-tarry odor. It has also been described to have the odor of pyridine and peppermint.📖 Fenaroli | |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 0.003 ppm📖 van Gemert |
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: DTXSID7051557
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 107.156 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.922 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 144.025 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -6.288 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 34.55 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.502 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 115.208 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 1.68 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 0.56 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 1.629 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 3.73 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 2.814 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole🔬 EPA CTX |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 5.656 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 1.227 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 32.569 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 134.41 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 12.89 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 33.994 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 13.476 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.
