4-t-Amylcyclohexanone (CAS 16587-71-6) — Woody Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient

Woody · Floral

4-t-Amylcyclohexanone

CAS 16587-71-6

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

What Is 4-t-Amylcyclohexanone?

4-t-Amylcyclohexanone is a synthetic fragrance ingredient used in perfumes and personal care products. It contributes to modern, clean scent profiles often found in laundry detergents and air fresheners. This molecule matters because it helps create long-lasting, diffusive floral-woody accords that are cost-effective to produce compared to natural alternatives. Its stability makes it valuable for functional fragrance applications.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
No major restrictions in current IFRA guidelines
Limited toxicological data available
CAS
16587-71-6
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Woody · Floral
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does 4-t-Amylcyclohexanone Smell Like?

4-t-Amylcyclohexanone presents a crisp, clean aroma reminiscent of freshly laundered linen with a subtle floral-woody character. The scent evolves from an initial sharpness akin to citrus peel into a more rounded, slightly powdery dry-down. It carries faint metallic undertones that blend well with modern synthetic accords, creating an impression of high-tech cleanliness without soapiness. The molecule’s tenacity allows it to serve as an effective bridge between top and heart notes in functional fragrances.

Scent Profile
Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

4-(tert-Pentyl)-cyclohexanone

SMILES: CCC(C)(C)C1CCC(=O)CC1

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

4-t-Amylcyclohexanone belongs to the cyclohexanone class of synthetic fragrance compounds. The t-amyl (tert-amyl) substituent at the 4-position creates steric hindrance that influences both odor characteristics and chemical reactivity. Industrial synthesis typically involves alkylation of cyclohexanone precursors. While not chiral itself, the molecule’s conformation affects its interaction with olfactory receptors, contributing to its clean scent profile.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling PointNot available
DensityNot available

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Middle
Volatility
Moderate (2-4 hours)
Blending
Good
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Functional Fragrance1-3%Up to 5%Provides clean linen character
Fine Fragrance0.5-1%Up to 2%Used as woody-floral modifier

Classic Accords

Tip: Use with ionones to enhance its floral aspects while maintaining diffusion.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Dihydroisojasmonate CAS 24851-98-7

Offers similar clean floral character with better substantivity for fine fragrance applications.

2
Cyclacet CAS 5413-60-5

Provides comparable woody-floral notes with enhanced fruity undertones.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

Not currently restricted under IFRA standards.

RIFM Assessment

Limited safety assessment available through RIFM databases.

Sustainability

As a synthetic material, 4-t-Amylcyclohexanone offers consistent quality without natural sourcing constraints. Production typically involves petrochemical feedstocks, though newer green chemistry routes may reduce environmental impact. Its efficiency in functional fragrance applications can potentially reduce overall fragrance load in consumer products.

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References

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

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    Ingredient Data Sheet

    CAS 16587-71-6

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight168.28 g/mol🔬 PubChem
    LogP (Octanol-Water)2.9🔬 PubChem
    Boiling Point246.8 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
    Vapor Pressure0.0315 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA
    Flash Point94 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
    Involatility Index0.0026💻 Calculated
    log Kp (skin permeability)-1.668💻 Calculated
    SMILESCCC(C)(C)C1CCC(=O)CC1🔬 PubChem

    Volatility & Performance

    Fragrance NoteHeart💻 Calculated
    Volatility ClassVery slow💻 Calculated
    Persistence Score2.6 / 5💻 Calculated

    Odor & Flavor

    Primary Descriptorscamphoraceousorriswoody• leffingwell
    Functional Groupsketone💻 RDKit

    Regulatory Status

    IFRA ListedYes — see IFRA Standards for category limits⚖️ IFRA 51
    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: DTXSID4047127

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight 168.28 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
    Density 0.923 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX
    Boiling Point 246.8 °C🔬 EPA CTX
    Melting Point 21.231 °C📊 OPERA
    Flash Point 94 °C🔬 EPA CTX
    Refractive Index 1.458 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
    Molar Volume 185.704 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

    Partition & Solubility

    LogP (Octanol-Water) 3.9 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX
    LogD (pH 5.5) 3.659 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogD (pH 7.4) 3.659 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 5.54 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    Water Solubility 0.002 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX
    Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

    Transport Properties

    Vapor Pressure 0.032 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX
    Viscosity 3.185 cP📊 OPERA
    Surface Tension 31.056 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
    Thermal Conductivity 129.862 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 2 count💻 Computed
    Aromatic Rings 0 count💻 Computed
    Molar Refractivity 50.629 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
    Polarizability 20.071 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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