6,10-Dimethyl-5,9-undecadien-2-one (CAS 3796-70-1) — Woody Top to Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient

Woody · Citrus

6,10-Dimethyl-5,9-undecadien-2-one

CAS 3796-70-1

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

What Is 6,10-Dimethyl-5,9-undecadien-2-one?

6,10-Dimethyl-5,9-undecadien-2-one is a synthetic fragrance compound used to add fruity, floral, and woody nuances to perfumes. You’ll encounter it in many modern fragrances, particularly those aiming for a fresh yet sophisticated character. This ingredient matters because it provides perfumers with a versatile building block that can enhance both top and heart notes, contributing to a fragrance’s complexity and longevity without overpowering other elements.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
No major safety concerns in regulated usage
Limited toxicological data available
CAS
3796-70-1
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Woody · Citrus
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does 6,10-Dimethyl-5,9-undecadien-2-one Smell Like?

This molecule unfolds with an initial burst of fresh citrus-woody character, reminiscent of peeled mandarin skins over cedar shavings. As it develops, a subtle floralcy emerges – like the ghost of magnolia blossoms carried on a warm breeze. The dry-down reveals an elegant, slightly musky woodiness that lingers close to the skin, creating an intimate trail. Throughout its evolution, there’s an intriguing metallic sheen that keeps the composition modern and crisp.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Eau Sauvage(Dior, 1966)

Used here to enhance the citrus-herbaceous opening while providing a woody bridge to the mossy base notes.

CK One(Calvin Klein, 1994)

Contributes to the fresh, androgynous character by blending citrus top notes with a subtle woody drydown.

Light Blue(Dolce & Gabbana, 2001)

Helps create the sparkling citrus-wood contrast that defines this summer fragrance.

L'Eau d'Issey(Issey Miyake, 1992)

Used as part of the watery-woody accord that makes this fragrance so distinctive.

Acqua di Gio(Giorgio Armani, 1996)

Provides subtle woody depth to the marine accord, preventing it from becoming too sharp.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

(E)-6,10-Dimethylundeca-5,9-dien-2-one

SMILES: CC(C)=CCC\C(C)=C\CCC(C)=O

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

6,10-Dimethyl-5,9-undecadien-2-one belongs to the class of unsaturated ketones, specifically a dienone. While not found in nature, its structure mimics certain terpenoid compounds. Industrially synthesized through aldol condensation reactions, this molecule features conjugated double bonds that contribute to its stability and odor characteristics. The specific arrangement of methyl groups creates steric hindrance that influences its volatility and interaction with olfactory receptors.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling PointNot available
DensityNot available

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Top to Middle
Volatility
Medium (1-3 hours)
Blending
Good
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance1-5%Up to 8%Adds freshness to citrus compositions
Functional Fragrance0.5-2%Up to 3%Used in soaps and detergents
Cosmetics0.1-1%Up to 2%Background modifier in lotions

Classic Accords

Tip: Use in citrus compositions to prevent excessive volatility and add drydown interest.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Geranyl Acetone CAS 3796-70-1

Similar floral-woody profile but with more pronounced rosy character and less citrus.

2
α-Ionone CAS 127-41-3

When more violet-orris character is desired in the drydown.

Layer 3

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 evaluation by RIFM.

Sustainability

As a synthetic material, this compound is produced through controlled chemical processes with minimal environmental impact compared to natural alternatives. Its efficient synthesis means lower resource consumption per kilogram of finished product. Being petroleum-derived, it avoids issues associated with agricultural sourcing but contributes to dependence on fossil feedstocks.

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References

  1. Burdock, G.A. (2010). Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. CRC Press.

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

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Ingredient Data Sheet

CAS 3796-70-1

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight194.31 g/mol🔬 PubChem
LogP (Octanol-Water)3.7🔬 PubChem
Boiling Point248 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
Vapor Pressure0.0537 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA
Flash Point107.2 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
Involatility Index0.0042💻 Calculated
log Kp (skin permeability)-1.258💻 Calculated

Volatility & Performance

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

Odor & Flavor

Primary Descriptorsfloralfreshfruitygreenrose• leffingwell
“: Fresh-floral, light, but rather penetrating, 1) from Geraniol via Geranyl chloride and sweet-rosy, slightly green, Magnolia-like odor Ethyl geranyl acetoacetate followed by of moderate tenacity. The odor has some hydrolysis and decarboxylation to Geranyl resemblance to that of Rhodinyl formate, yet acetone.”📖 Arctander

Sensory Thresholds

Odor Detection Threshold12.0587 ppm (n=4)📖 van Gemert
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: DTXSID4052053

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight 194.318 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
Density 0.856 g/cm^3📊 OPERA
Boiling Point 251.653 °C📊 OPERA
Melting Point 11.914 °C📊 OPERA
Flash Point 99.913 °C📊 OPERA
Refractive Index 1.459 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
Molar Volume 227.075 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 4.098 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 5.5) 4.098 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 7.4) 4.098 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 6.66 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
Water Solubility 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX
Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

Transport Properties

Vapor Pressure 0.029 mmHg📊 OPERA
Viscosity 2.072 cP📊 OPERA
Surface Tension 27.232 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
Thermal Conductivity 135.085 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 6 count💻 Computed
Aromatic Rings 0 count💻 Computed
Molar Refractivity 62.107 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
Polarizability 24.621 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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