4-Cyclopentadecen-1-one (CAS 35720-57-1) — Musky Base Note Fragrance Ingredient

ByThe Good Scents
Musky · Woody

4-Cyclopentadecen-1-one

CAS 35720-57-1

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

What Is 4-Cyclopentadecen-1-one?

4-Cyclopentadecen-1-one is a synthetic musk used in modern perfumery. It provides a clean, powdery, and slightly animalic scent that enhances longevity in fragrances. Consumers encounter it in laundry detergents, fabric softeners, and personal care products where a subtle musk note is desired. This ingredient matters because it mimics natural musk without ethical concerns, offering a sustainable alternative for perfumers seeking animal-friendly compositions.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
✓ Safe in regulated products
⚠ Check for allergen labeling
CAS
35720-57-1
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Musky · Woody
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does 4-Cyclopentadecen-1-one Smell Like?

4-Cyclopentadecen-1-one opens with a clean, slightly powdery musk that evolves into a warm, skin-like scent. It has a velvety texture, reminiscent of freshly laundered linen with a subtle animalic undertone. Over time, it dries down to a soft, intimate whisper of musk, perfect for base notes that linger without overwhelming.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Glossier You(Glossier, 2017)

Used to create a skin-like musk that blends seamlessly with pink pepper and iris, enhancing the fragrance’s intimate, personal feel.

Clean Reserve Skin(Clean, 2017)

Adds a soft, powdery musk that complements the solar notes and praline, creating a cozy, wearable scent.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

Cyclopentadec-4-en-1-one

SMILES: O=C1CCCCCCCCCCC=CCC1

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

4-Cyclopentadecen-1-one is a macrocyclic ketone, part of the synthetic musk family. It is synthesized through ring-closing metathesis or other cyclization techniques to achieve its 15-membered ring structure. This compound is prized for its stability and low volatility, making it ideal for long-lasting fragrances. Its synthetic origin ensures consistency and ethical sourcing compared to natural musk alternatives.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling PointN/A
DensityN/A

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Base
Volatility
Low (hours-days)
Blending
Excellent
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance1-5%Up to 10%Adds muskiness without overpowering
Laundry Care0.1-0.5%Up to 1%Provides clean, lingering scent

Classic Accords

Tip: Use in combination with other musks to create depth and complexity.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Ethylene Brassylate CAS 105-95-3

A softer, more floral musk alternative with similar longevity but less animalic character.

2
Galaxolide CAS 1222-05-5

A stronger, more diffusive musk for formulations requiring more projection.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

Not restricted by IFRA. Safe for use in all categories.

EU Allergen Declaration

Not listed as an EU allergen.

RIFM Assessment

RIFM assessment confirms safety at current usage levels.

Sustainability

Synthetic production avoids the ethical and environmental issues associated with natural musk. The process is scalable and reduces reliance on animal-derived ingredients.

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References

  1. PubChem. 4-Cyclopentadecen-1-one. PubChem
  2. IFRA Standards Library. IFRA

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

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Ingredient Data Sheet

CAS 35720-57-1

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight222.37 g/mol🔬 PubChem
LogP (Octanol-Water)5.2🔬 PubChem
Boiling Point298 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
Vapor Pressure0 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA
Flash Point142.4 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
log Kp (skin permeability)-0.364💻 Calculated
SMILESC1CCCCCC(=O)CCC=CCCCC1🔬 PubChem

Volatility & Performance

Fragrance NoteBase💻 Calculated
Volatility ClassVery slow💻 Calculated
Persistence Score11.3 / 5💻 Calculated

Odor & Flavor

Functional Groupsketonealkene💻 RDKit
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: DTXSID00860141

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight 222.372 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
Density 0.872 g/cm^3📊 OPERA
Boiling Point 312.713 °C📊 OPERA
Melting Point 46.761 °C📊 OPERA
Flash Point 138.722 °C📊 OPERA
Refractive Index 1.451 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
Molar Volume 255.889 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 5.095 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 5.5) 5.095 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 7.4) 5.095 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 7.8 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
Water Solubility 0.001 mol/L📊 OPERA
Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

Transport Properties

Vapor Pressure 0 mmHg📊 OPERA
Viscosity 4.69 cP📊 OPERA
Surface Tension 30.097 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
Thermal Conductivity 145.228 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 0 count💻 Computed
Aromatic Rings 0 count💻 Computed
Molar Refractivity 68.91 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
Polarizability 27.318 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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