2-Tridecenal (CAS 7774-82-5) — Citrus Top to middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
2-Tridecenal
CAS 7774-82-5
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 SAFEWhat 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.
2D Molecular Structure
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 Point | Estimated 230-240°C |
|---|---|
| State | Colorless to pale yellow liquid |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Used for metallic lift effects |
| Functional Fragrances | 0.01-0.1% | 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
More floral-aldehydic character without metallic edge, suitable when softer effects are desired.
Shorter chain length gives more pronounced waxy-cucumber character with less metallic intensity.
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
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.
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References
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical 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.
