2-Methyl-2,4-pentandiol (CAS 107-41-5) — Woody Base Note Fragrance Ingredient

ByThe Good Scents
Woody · Sweet

2-Methyl-2,4-pentandiol

CAS 107-41-5

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

What Is 2-Methyl-2,4-pentandiol?

2-Methyl-2,4-pentandiol is a synthetic solvent used in perfumery and cosmetics. It’s commonly found in fragrances, personal care products, and industrial applications. This ingredient helps blend other fragrance components and improves product stability.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
✓ Safe in regulated products
⚠ Avoid direct skin contact in pure form
CAS
107-41-5
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Woody · Sweet
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does 2-Methyl-2,4-pentandiol Smell Like?

2-Methyl-2,4-pentandiol has a mild, slightly sweet odor with a clean, alcohol-like character. It acts as a subtle carrier for other fragrance ingredients, blending seamlessly without overpowering. The scent is neutral enough to support both floral and woody compositions, making it a versatile base for perfumers.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

2-Methyl-2,4-pentanediol

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

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

2-Methyl-2,4-pentandiol is a synthetic diol with the molecular formula C6H14O2. It is produced through industrial chemical synthesis, typically via hydrogenation of corresponding ketones or aldehydes. The compound serves primarily as a solvent and viscosity modifier in fragrance formulations.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling PointN/A
DensityN/A

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Base
Volatility
Low
Blending
Good
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance1-5%Up to 10%Solvent and fixative

Classic Accords

Tip: Use as a solvent for difficult-to-dissolve fragrance materials.

Alternatives & Comparisons

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

Not restricted by IFRA.

RIFM Assessment

No specific RIFM assessment found.

Sustainability

As a synthetic compound, 2-Methyl-2,4-pentandiol is produced through controlled chemical processes. Its environmental impact is relatively low compared to some natural alternatives, with efficient production methods minimizing waste.

Explore 2-Methyl-2,4-pentandiol

Browse essential oils and aroma compounds.

Browse on iHerb →

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

References

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

    Report a data error

    Ingredient Data Sheet

    CAS 107-41-5

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight118.17 g/mol🔬 PubChem
    LogP (Octanol-Water)0.3🔬 PubChem
    Boiling Point197.2 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
    Vapor Pressure0.05 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA
    Flash Point93.3 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
    Involatility Index0.005💻 Calculated
    log Kp (skin permeability)-3.208💻 Calculated
    SMILESCC(CC(C)(C)O)O🔬 PubChem

    Volatility & Performance

    Fragrance NoteTop💻 Calculated
    Volatility ClassVery slow💻 Calculated
    Persistence Score1.4 / 5💻 Calculated

    Odor & Flavor

    Primary Descriptorssweetwoody• leffingwell
    Functional Groupsalcohol💻 RDKit

    Sensory Thresholds

    Odor Detection Threshold19 ppm📖 van Gemert
    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: DTXSID5021885

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight 118.176 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
    Density 0.922 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX
    Boiling Point 197.764 °C🔬 EPA CTX
    Melting Point -46.309 °C🔬 EPA CTX
    Flash Point 95.146 °C🔬 EPA CTX
    Refractive Index 1.447 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
    Molar Volume 123.013 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

    Partition & Solubility

    LogP (Octanol-Water) 0.61 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX
    LogD (pH 5.5) 0.618 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogD (pH 7.4) 0.618 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 7.17 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    Water Solubility 8.459 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX
    Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

    Transport Properties

    Vapor Pressure 0.043 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX
    Viscosity 8.862 cP📊 OPERA
    Surface Tension 30.039 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
    Thermal Conductivity 160.852 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA

    Molecular Descriptors

    Topological Polar Surface Area 40.46 Ų💻 Computed
    H-Bond Donors 2 count💻 Computed
    H-Bond Acceptors 2 count💻 Computed
    Rotatable Bonds 2 count💻 Computed
    Aromatic Rings 0 count💻 Computed
    Molar Refractivity 32.84 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
    Polarizability 13.019 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