2-Pentanol (CAS 6032-29-7) — Citrus N/A Note Fragrance Ingredient

Citrus · Woody

2-Pentanol

CAS 6032-29-7

Origin
synthetic
Note
N/A
IFRA
Use with awareness
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is 2-Pentanol?

2-Pentanol is a synthetic alcohol used in industrial fragrances and as a solvent. It’s rarely encountered directly by consumers but may appear in some cleaning products. While not a major fragrance ingredient, it serves as a building block for more complex aroma chemicals in perfumery.

Safety Profile

USE WITH AWARENESS
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
Industrial chemical – not for direct consumer use
Potential irritant at high concentrations
CAS
6032-29-7
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Citrus · Woody
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does 2-Pentanol Smell Like?

2-Pentanol has a sharp, alcoholic odor with faint fruity undertones. Its scent profile is relatively simple compared to more complex fragrance materials, presenting as a harsh, burning alcohol note that lacks the refinement of higher molecular weight alcohols. The odor tends to persist with little evolution, maintaining its chemical character throughout evaporation.

Scent Profile
Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

Pentan-2-ol

SMILES: CCCC(C)O

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

2-Pentanol is a secondary alcohol with a five-carbon chain. Industrially produced through hydration of pentenes or reduction of pentanones, it serves primarily as a chemical intermediate rather than a direct fragrance ingredient. Its simple structure lacks the complexity typically desired in perfumery materials, limiting its direct application in fine fragrances.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling Point119-120 °C
Density0.81 g/cm³

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
N/A
Volatility
Medium (1-3 hours)
Blending
Poor
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Industrial Applications0.1-1%Up to 5%Primarily as solvent or intermediate

Classic Accords

Tip: Not recommended for use in fine fragrance formulations due to harsh odor profile.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
1-Pentanol CAS 71-41-0

Primary alcohol with similar properties but slightly more refined odor profile.

2
2-Hexanol CAS 626-93-7

Higher molecular weight analog with less harsh alcohol character.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

Not specifically restricted by IFRA due to minimal use in fragrance applications.

GHS Classification

H315 Skin irritation H319 Eye irritation H335 May cause respiratory irritation

RIFM Assessment

Not formally evaluated by RIFM due to minimal fragrance use.

Sustainability

As a petrochemical-derived synthetic, 2-pentanol has standard environmental considerations of hydrocarbon chemistry. Its production involves typical energy inputs and emissions associated with industrial alcohol synthesis. Not considered a green or sustainable material in modern perfumery.

Explore 2-Pentanol

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 6032-29-7

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight88.15 g/mol🔬 PubChem
    LogP (Octanol-Water)1.2🔬 PubChem
    Boiling Point112.2 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
    Vapor Pressure1 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA
    Flash Point35 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
    Involatility Index0.1148💻 Calculated
    log Kp (skin permeability)-2.386💻 Calculated
    SMILESCCCC(C)O🔬 PubChem

    Volatility & Performance

    Fragrance NoteTop💻 Calculated
    Volatility ClassModerate💻 Calculated
    Persistence Score0.5 / 5💻 Calculated

    Odor & Flavor

    Primary Descriptorsalcoholicetherealsolvent• leffingwell
    Functional Groupsalcohol💻 RDKit
    “Winey-ethereal, rather choking odor, somewhat drier than that of commercial "Amyl alcohol".”📖 Arctander
    2-Pentanol has a mild green, fusel-oil odor. This compound is also reported as having a winy, ethereal odor.📖 Fenaroli

    Flavor Notes (Arctander)

    “Mainly used as an intermediate in the production of esters for fruit flavors.”📖 Arctander

    Sensory Thresholds

    Odor Detection Threshold11.3842 ppm (n=2)📖 van Gemert

    Regulatory Status

    IOFI ClassificationNature Identical📖 Fenaroli
    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: DTXSID3052721

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight 88.15 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
    Density 0.809 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX
    Boiling Point 118.8 °C🔬 EPA CTX
    Melting Point -60.063 °C🔬 EPA CTX
    Flash Point 36.796 °C🔬 EPA CTX
    Refractive Index 1.405 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
    Molar Volume 108.952 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

    Partition & Solubility

    LogP (Octanol-Water) 1.187 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX
    LogD (pH 5.5) 1.274 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogD (pH 7.4) 1.274 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 4.51 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    Water Solubility 0.512 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX
    Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole🔬 EPA CTX

    Transport Properties

    Vapor Pressure 5.283 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX
    Viscosity 2.99 cP📊 OPERA
    Surface Tension 25.284 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
    Thermal Conductivity 143.744 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 2 count💻 Computed
    Aromatic Rings 0 count💻 Computed
    Molar Refractivity 26.707 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
    Polarizability 10.587 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