4-(2-Butenylidene)-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-one (CAS 13215-88-8) — Woody Base Note Fragrance Ingredient

Woody · Balsamic

4-(2-Butenylidene)-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-one

CAS 13215-88-8

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

What Is 4-(2-Butenylidene)-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-one?

4-(2-Butenylidene)-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-one is a synthetic fragrance ingredient used to add woody, amber-like nuances to perfumes. It’s found in fine fragrances and personal care products. This molecule helps create depth and longevity in modern perfumery, often used as a base note to anchor lighter components.

Safety Profile

USE WITH AWARENESS
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
Safe in regulated concentrations
Potential sensitizer – check IFRA guidelines
CAS
13215-88-8
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Woody · Balsamic
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does 4-(2-Butenylidene)-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-one Smell Like?

This molecule opens with a sharp, woody-camphoraceous burst reminiscent of dry pine needles. As it settles, it reveals a warm, slightly sweet amber character with hints of tobacco leaf. The dry-down is persistent, leaving a smooth, musky-woody trail that blends exceptionally well with vanilla and patchouli bases.

Scent Profile
Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

Tabanone

SMILES: CC=CC=C1C(C)=CC(=O)CC1(C)C

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

A cyclic enone with a conjugated diene system, this synthetic molecule belongs to the ionone family. Industrially produced via aldol condensation followed by dehydration, its structure allows for excellent stability in formulations. The butenylidene side chain contributes to its amber-woody character while the trimethylcyclohexenone core provides tenacity.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling PointNot publicly available
DensityNot publicly available

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Base
Volatility
Low (6+ hours)
Blending
Good
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance0.5-2%Up to 5%Provides amber-woody foundation
Personal Care0.1-0.5%Up to 1%Used for longevity

Classic Accords

Tip: Use with ionones to enhance woody character without becoming too sharp.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Iso E Super CAS 54464-57-2

When a smoother, less camphoraceous woody note is desired.

2
Ambroxan CAS 6790-58-5

For a cleaner, more diffusive amber effect.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

Not currently restricted by IFRA. Monitor for future amendments due to structural similarity to known sensitizers.

RIFM Assessment

No specific RIFM assessment found. General enone safety guidelines apply.

Sustainability

As a synthetic molecule, production involves petrochemical feedstocks. No known natural sources. Manufacturers are increasingly adopting green chemistry principles to reduce environmental impact during synthesis.

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References

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

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    Physicochemical Properties

    DTXSID: DTXSID20863497

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight 190.286 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
    Density 0.997 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX
    Boiling Point 252.5 °C🔬 EPA CTX
    Melting Point -59.2 °C🔬 EPA CTX
    Flash Point 137 °C🔬 EPA CTX
    Refractive Index 1.54 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
    Molar Volume 196.483 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

    Partition & Solubility

    LogP (Octanol-Water) 3.105 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX
    LogD (pH 5.5) 3.613 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogD (pH 7.4) 3.613 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 6.36 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    Water Solubility 0.002 mol/L📊 OPERA
    Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

    Transport Properties

    Vapor Pressure 0.071 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX
    Surface Tension 32.936 dyn/cm📊 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 1 count💻 Computed
    Aromatic Rings 0 count💻 Computed
    Molar Refractivity 61.635 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
    Polarizability 24.434 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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