2-Tridecenal (CAS 7774-82-5) — Citrus Top to middle Note Fragrance Ingredient

Citrus · Green

2-Tridecenal

CAS 7774-82-5

Origin
synthetic
Note
Top to middle
IFRA
Generally safe
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is 2-Tridecenal?

2-Tridecenal is a synthetic fragrance ingredient primarily used to add metallic, citrusy, and slightly waxy nuances to perfumes. It’s found in trace amounts in some citrus oils but is mostly laboratory-produced. This aldehyde matters because it can create cutting-edge ‘space age’ accords when used skillfully, bridging fresh and futuristic fragrance concepts.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
IFRA compliant at typical usage levels
High concentrations may cause sensitization
CAS
7774-82-5
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Citrus · Green
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does 2-Tridecenal Smell Like?

2-Tridecenal delivers a razor-sharp metallic citrus burst reminiscent of freshly-cut stainless steel, evolving into a peculiar waxy-green character like the smell of a new tennis ball. The dry-down reveals subtle cucumber-like freshness with an underlying industrial cleanliness – imagine the scent left on hands after handling crisp new banknotes. Used sparingly, it adds luminous high-tech shimmer to compositions.

Scent Profile
Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

2-Tridecenal

SMILES: CCCCCCCCCCC=CC=O

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

2-Tridecenal is a C13 unsaturated aldehyde with the molecular formula C13H24O. As a straight-chain α,β-unsaturated aldehyde, it’s typically synthesized via hydroformylation of 1-dodecene followed by purification. The trans isomer is most commonly used in perfumery due to its superior odor characteristics. Being an aldehyde, it’s reactive and requires stabilization in fragrance formulations.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling PointEstimated 230-240°C
StateColorless to pale yellow liquid

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Top to middle
Volatility
Medium (2-4 hours)
Blending
Challenging
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance0.1-0.5%Up to 1%Used for metallic lift effects
Functional Fragrances0.01-0.1%Up to 0.3%Adds clean high-tech character

Classic Accords

Tip: Stabilize with antioxidants and use in neutral pH bases to prevent polymerization.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Tridecanal CAS 10486-19-8

More floral-aldehydic character without metallic edge, suitable when softer effects are desired.

2
2-Undecenal CAS 2463-77-6

Shorter chain length gives more pronounced waxy-cucumber character with less metallic intensity.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

Not currently restricted by IFRA. Listed on IFRA Transparency List.

GHS Classification

H315 Causes skin irritation H319 Causes serious eye irritation

RIFM Assessment

RIFM has conducted safety assessment confirming safe use at current levels in fragrances.

Sustainability

As a synthetic material, 2-Tridecenal production has minimal environmental impact when proper waste management is followed. Being produced from petrochemical feedstocks, its carbon footprint is higher than some naturally-derived alternatives, but extremely low usage levels mitigate this impact.

Explore 2-Tridecenal

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. IFRA Transparency List IFRA 2023
  2. EPA Safer Chemical Ingredients List EPA SCIL

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

Report a data error

Physicochemical Properties

DTXSID: DTXSID0052883

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight 196.334 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
Density 0.852 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX
Boiling Point 264.801 °C📊 OPERA
Melting Point 19.565 °C📊 OPERA
Flash Point 120.151 °C📊 OPERA
Refractive Index 1.447 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
Molar Volume 234.056 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 5.052 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 5.5) 5.052 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 7.4) 5.052 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 6.83 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
Water Solubility 0 mol/L📊 OPERA
Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

Transport Properties

Vapor Pressure 0.005 mmHg📊 OPERA
Viscosity 2.589 cP📊 OPERA
Surface Tension 27.361 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
Thermal Conductivity 148.515 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA

Molecular Descriptors

Topological Polar Surface Area 17.07 Ų💻 Computed
H-Bond Donors 0 count💻 Computed
H-Bond Acceptors 1 count💻 Computed
Rotatable Bonds 10 count💻 Computed
Aromatic Rings 0 count💻 Computed
Molar Refractivity 62.521 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
Polarizability 24.785 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