4-Methyl-3-decen-5-ol (CAS 81782-77-6) — Green Top to Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
4-Methyl-3-decen-5-ol
CAS 81782-77-6
What Is 4-Methyl-3-decen-5-ol?
4-Methyl-3-decen-5-ol is a synthetic fragrance ingredient often found in modern perfumes and body care products. It contributes a fresh, slightly metallic green character with aquatic nuances. This molecule matters because it helps create crisp, contemporary scent profiles that mimic natural freshness without relying on traditional citrus or herbal notes.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does 4-Methyl-3-decen-5-ol Smell Like?
4-Methyl-3-decen-5-ol opens with a startling freshness – like crushed cucumber skin meeting cold stainless steel. As it develops, the initial sharpness softens into a watery green heart reminiscent of aloe vera gel or young bamboo shoots. The dry-down reveals subtle woody-musky undertones that anchor the freshness, leaving a clean impression comparable to rain-washed leaves. Throughout its evolution, it maintains a futuristic, almost ozonic quality that distinguishes it from traditional green notes.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used to enhance the modern aquatic character, contributing to the fragrance’s signature crispness alongside calone and lavender.
Provides subtle green freshness that complements the lotus and melon notes, creating a dewy, contemporary effect.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCCCCC(O)C(C)=CCC
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
4-Methyl-3-decen-5-ol belongs to the family of unsaturated aliphatic alcohols, characterized by its branched decenol structure. The molecule features a double bond at the 3-position and a methyl group at the 4-position, which contribute to its stereochemical complexity. Industrial synthesis typically involves hydroformylation of appropriate alkene precursors followed by reduction. The specific isomerism of this compound significantly impacts its olfactory properties, with different stereoisomers exhibiting varying intensity and character.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | ~220 °C (estimated) |
|---|---|
| Density | ~0.85 g/cm³ (estimated) |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | For fresh top notes |
| Functional Fragrance | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | In detergents and soaps |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with citrus or ozonic notes to enhance freshness without traditional lemon/citronella character.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Provides similar modern freshness with more pronounced floral aspects when a softer effect is desired.
Offers comparable green freshness but with more herbal character for traditional applications.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No current IFRA restrictions.
RIFM Assessment
Currently under review by RIFM, preliminary data suggests low sensitization potential.
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, 4-Methyl-3-decen-5-ol has consistent quality and reduced environmental impact compared to some natural alternatives. Production can be optimized for atom economy, and it doesn’t require agricultural land or seasonal harvesting. Modern synthesis routes aim to minimize hazardous byproducts.
Explore 4-Methyl-3-decen-5-ol
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References
- Brenna et al. (2012). Synthetic routes to aliphatic alcohols for fragrance applications. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. ACS Publication
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID8052560
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 170.296 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.846 g/cm^3📊 OPERA |
| Boiling Point | 234.731 °C📊 OPERA |
| Melting Point | -4.174 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 94.421 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.453 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 201.408 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.917 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 3.917 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 3.917 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 7.71 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.001 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.02 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Viscosity | 8.832 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 27.742 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 145.145 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 | 6 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 54.404 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 21.568 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.
