4-tert-Butylcyclohexyl acetate (CAS 32210-23-4) — Woody Top to middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
4-tert-Butylcyclohexyl acetate
CAS 32210-23-4
What Is 4-tert-Butylcyclohexyl acetate?
4-tert-Butylcyclohexyl acetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient commonly found in perfumes, body sprays, and household products. It contributes a fresh, woody aroma that enhances many modern fragrance compositions. This versatile molecule is valued for its ability to add clean, crisp notes that blend well with both floral and woody accords, making it a popular choice for fresh and masculine scents.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does 4-tert-Butylcyclohexyl acetate Smell Like?
4-tert-Butylcyclohexyl acetate opens with a crisp, clean woody note reminiscent of freshly cut cedar planks. As it evolves, it reveals a subtle floral undertone, like a whisper of lily-of-the-valley in a forest clearing. The dry-down is smooth and slightly musky, leaving a lingering impression of well-worn leather and polished wood. Its character is both sophisticated and approachable, making it a versatile building block in modern perfumery.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used to enhance the fresh, aquatic character with its clean woody notes, providing a modern alternative to traditional woody ingredients.
Contributes to the crisp, transparent quality of this iconic aquatic fragrance, blending seamlessly with floral and citrus notes.
Adds a refined woody freshness that complements the marine and citrus elements in this bestselling masculine scent.
Provides clean woody support to the bright citrus and floral heart, enhancing the fragrance’s daytime wearability.
Used in the woody-ambery base to create a polished, contemporary masculine character.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC(=O)OC1CCC(CC1)C(C)(C)C
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
4-tert-Butylcyclohexyl acetate is a synthetic ester derived from the acetylation of 4-tert-butylcyclohexanol. The molecule features a cyclohexane ring with a bulky tert-butyl group at the 4-position and an acetate ester at the 1-position. This structure creates a balance between volatility and substantivity, making it useful as a top-to-middle note. The tert-butyl group introduces steric hindrance that influences both the odor character and the molecule’s resistance to hydrolysis compared to simpler cyclohexyl esters.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow liquid |
|---|---|
| Boiling Point | Approx. 250-260 °C |
| Density | ~0.92 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | ~1.45 |
| Solubility | Insoluble in water, soluble in alcohol and oils |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-5% | Up to 10% | Fresh woody modifier |
| Body Care | 0.5-2% | Up to 3% | Clean, fresh notes |
| Household | 0.1-1% | Up to 2% | Laundry fresh effect |
| Functional | 0.05-0.5% | Up to 1% | Masking agent |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with citrus top notes to extend their freshness into the heart phase.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Similar woody character but with more pronounced floral aspects and better diffusion.
More piney and less refined, suitable for more rustic woody compositions.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not restricted under current IFRA standards (as of 49th Amendment).
RIFM Assessment
Considered safe for use in fragrance by RIFM based on current data.
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, 4-tert-Butylcyclohexyl acetate has minimal environmental impact in production compared to some natural alternatives. Its synthesis from petrochemical feedstocks is energy efficient, and it doesn’t require agricultural land or contribute to deforestation. The material’s stability contributes to fragrance longevity, potentially reducing the need for reapplication and overall product consumption.
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References
- Bauer, K. et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH.
- Arctander, S. (1969). Perfume and Flavor Chemicals. Allured.
- IFRA Standards Library IFRA 49th Amendment
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 32210-23-4Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 198.3 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.4🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 243 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.0075 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 104 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.0006💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -1.496💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC(=O)OC1CCC(CC1)C(C)(C)C🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Heart💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 4.2 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | floralorriswoody• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | esterether💻 RDKit |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 0.0244 ppm (n=2)📖 van Gemert |
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: DTXSID1027974
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 198.306 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.936 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 243 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -50 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 104 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.451 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 213.127 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4.8 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 4.629 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 4.629 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 5.84 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.008 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 3.356 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 29.597 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 123.356 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 26.3 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 57.38 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 22.747 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.
