2,6-Octadiene-1-thiol, 3,7-dimethyl- (CAS 38237-00-2) — Citrus Top Note Fragrance Ingredient

Citrus · Sweet

2,6-Octadiene-1-thiol, 3,7-dimethyl-

CAS 38237-00-2

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

What Is 2,6-Octadiene-1-thiol, 3,7-dimethyl-?

2,6-Octadiene-1-thiol, 3,7-dimethyl- is a synthetic fragrance ingredient used to create tropical fruit and citrus nuances in perfumes. It’s found in high-end fragrances and some fruity body care products. This molecule matters because it delivers intense, authentic tropical notes that are difficult to obtain from natural sources, allowing perfumers to craft vibrant, exotic accords with precision.

Safety Profile

USE WITH AWARENESS
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
IFRA approved with limits
Strong odor – use sparingly
CAS
38237-00-2
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Citrus · Sweet
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does 2,6-Octadiene-1-thiol, 3,7-dimethyl- Smell Like?

A powerhouse of tropical intensity, this thiol bursts with an initial punch of overripe guava and passionfruit, dripping with juicy sweetness. As it evolves, a sharper grapefruit peel edge emerges, balanced by a faint sulfurous undertone that adds complexity. The dry-down reveals a surprisingly clean, almost ozonic character reminiscent of sea spray, though traces of the initial fruitiness linger for hours. At high concentrations, it can overwhelm, but when properly diluted, it creates an irresistible tropical halo around floral and citrus compositions.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Tropical Moonlight(Exotic Scents, 2018)

Used at 0.2% to create the signature sun-ripened mango effect, blending seamlessly with ylang-ylang and coconut milk for a photorealistic tropical cocktail.

Citrus Zest(Fresh & Co, 2020)

Provides the juicy pink grapefruit illusion in the top notes, enhancing the natural citrus oils with an extra dimension of tropical sweetness.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

2,6-Octadiene-1-thiol, 3,7-dimethyl-

SMILES: CC(C)=CCCC(C)=CCS

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

This unsaturated thiol belongs to the class of sulfur-containing terpenoids, structurally related to grapefruit mercaptan. Synthesized through nucleophilic addition to terpene precursors, its configuration allows for potent odor detection at extremely low concentrations. The molecule’s reactivity requires careful handling during formulation to prevent oxidation and preserve its characteristic fruity notes.

Physical & Chemical Properties

AppearanceColorless to pale yellow liquid
Odor ThresholdExtremely low (ppb range)

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Top
Volatility
Medium-high (1-3 hours)
Blending
Challenging
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance0.1-0.5%Up to 1%Tropical fruit effects
Body Care0.01-0.1%Up to 0.3%Fruity top notes

Classic Accords

Tip: Always pre-dilute to 1% in DPG before incorporating into blends to ensure even distribution.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Mercaptohexyl acetate CAS 136954-20-6

For less sulfurous tropical effects with better stability in alkaline formulations.

Layer 3

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 Amendment 49).

GHS Classification

H315 Skin irritation

RIFM Assessment

Currently under review by RIFM for comprehensive safety assessment.

Sustainability

As a synthetic material, production involves petrochemical feedstocks but requires minimal quantities due to extreme potency. Some manufacturers are exploring bio-based routes using fermentation-derived terpenes.

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References

  1. Brenna et al. (2012). Tropical Thiols in Modern Perfumery. Flavour and Fragrance Journal. DOI:10.1002/ffj.2105

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

Report a data error

Physicochemical Properties

DTXSID: DTXSID9068081

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight 170.31 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
Density 0.883 g/cm^3📊 OPERA
Boiling Point 238.093 °C📊 OPERA
Melting Point -55.456 °C📊 OPERA
Flash Point 86.433 °C📊 OPERA
Refractive Index 1.488 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
Molar Volume 194.483 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 4.241 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 5.5) 4.241 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 7.4) 4.24 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 5.05 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
Water Solubility 0.001 mol/L📊 OPERA
Henry's Law Constant 0.001 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

Transport Properties

Vapor Pressure 0.147 mmHg📊 OPERA
Viscosity 1.467 cP📊 OPERA
Surface Tension 26.37 dyn/cm📊 OPERA

Molecular Descriptors

Topological Polar Surface Area 0 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 56.075 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
Polarizability 22.23 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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