6-Acetyl-1,1,2,4,4,7-hexamethyltetraline (CAS 21145-77-7) — Woody Base Note Fragrance Ingredient

Woody · Balsamic

6-Acetyl-1,1,2,4,4,7-hexamethyltetraline

CAS 21145-77-7

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

What Is 6-Acetyl-1,1,2,4,4,7-hexamethyltetraline?

6-Acetyl-1,1,2,4,4,7-hexamethyltetraline is a synthetic fragrance ingredient used in perfumes and scented products. It contributes to woody, amber-like accords with subtle musk undertones. This molecule matters because it adds warmth and longevity to fragrances, often serving as a base note that helps blend other scent components smoothly.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
No major safety concerns in current use
Limited toxicological data available
CAS
21145-77-7
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Woody · Balsamic
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does 6-Acetyl-1,1,2,4,4,7-hexamethyltetraline Smell Like?

6-Acetyl-1,1,2,4,4,7-hexamethyltetraline unfolds with an initial woody-dry character reminiscent of aged cedar chests, evolving into a complex amber heart with hints of sun-warmed leather. The dry-down reveals subtle musky facets that linger close to the skin, creating an intimate sillage. Its scent profile bridges the gap between synthetic amber materials and natural woody absolutes, offering perfumers a stable, long-lasting alternative to more volatile natural materials.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Ambre 114(Histoires de Parfums, 2001)

Used as an amber-woody backbone that amplifies the resinous qualities while adding diffusion and tenacity to the composition.

Tobacco Vanille(Tom Ford, 2007)

Provides subtle woody-musky undertones that support the tobacco leaf accord without overpowering the vanilla heart.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

Tonalide

SMILES: CC1CC(C)(C)C2=C(C=C(C)C(=C2)C(C)=O)C1(C)C

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

6-Acetyl-1,1,2,4,4,7-hexamethyltetraline belongs to the tetralin class of synthetic aroma chemicals, characterized by their fused benzene and cyclohexane rings. The acetyl group at position 6 contributes significantly to its olfactory properties. While not found in nature, its structure shares similarities with certain degraded terpenoid compounds found in ambergris and aged woods.

Physical & Chemical Properties

AppearanceColorless to pale yellow liquid
Odor Threshold0.01 ppm in water

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Base
Volatility
Low (6+ hours)
Blending
Good
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance1-3%Up to 5%Amber-woody base note
Functional Fragrance0.5-1%Up to 2%Long-lasting woody fixative

Classic Accords

Tip: Use with ionones to create sophisticated woody-floral bases.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Ambroxan CAS 6790-58-5

For a cleaner ambergris effect with less woody character.

2
Norlimbanol CAS 70788-30-6

When a more pronounced woody-dry effect is desired.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

Not currently restricted by IFRA standards.

RIFM Assessment

No specific RIFM assessment found for this material.

Sustainability

As a synthetic material, 6-Acetyl-1,1,2,4,4,7-hexamethyltetraline offers consistent quality without natural resource depletion. Its production avoids the environmental impact associated with harvesting natural amber or woody materials.

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References

  1. Bauer, K. et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH.

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

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Ingredient Data Sheet

CAS 21145-77-7

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight258.4 g/mol🔬 PubChem
LogP (Octanol-Water)5.3🔬 PubChem
Boiling Point326 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
Vapor Pressure0.0005 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA
log Kp (skin permeability)-0.513💻 Calculated
SMILESCC1CC(C2=C(C1(C)C)C=C(C(=C2)C(=O)C)C)(C)C🔬 PubChem

Volatility & Performance

Fragrance NoteBase💻 Calculated
Volatility ClassVery slow💻 Calculated
Persistence Score8.7 / 5💻 Calculated

Odor & Flavor

Primary Descriptorsbalsamicwoody• leffingwell
Functional Groupsketonearomatic💻 RDKit

Regulatory Status

EU Annex IIIListed (restricted)⚖️ 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: DTXSID7041544

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight 258.405 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
Density 0.711 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX
Boiling Point 326 °C🔬 EPA CTX
Melting Point 54.62 °C🔬 EPA CTX
Flash Point 145.939 °C📊 OPERA
Refractive Index 1.49 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
Molar Volume 280.888 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 5.64 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX
LogD (pH 5.5) 5.726 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 7.4) 5.726 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 7.93 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
Water Solubility 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX
Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole🔬 EPA CTX

Transport Properties

Vapor Pressure 0.001 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX
Surface Tension 30.812 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
Thermal Conductivity 109.248 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 1 count💻 Computed
Aromatic Rings 1 count💻 Computed
Molar Refractivity 81.243 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
Polarizability 32.207 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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