6-sec-Butylquinoline (CAS 65442-31-1) — Woody Middle to base Note Fragrance Ingredient

Woody · Balsamic

6-sec-Butylquinoline

CAS 65442-31-1

Origin
synthetic
Note
Middle to base
IFRA
Use with awareness
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is 6-sec-Butylquinoline?

6-sec-Butylquinoline is a synthetic aromatic compound used in perfumery to add leathery, earthy tones. You might encounter it in high-end leather fragrances or chypre compositions. This ingredient matters because it provides a sophisticated, animalic depth that’s hard to replicate naturally, making it valuable for creating complex modern accords.

Safety Profile

USE WITH AWARENESS
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
IFRA approved with limits
Strong odor – use sparingly
CAS
65442-31-1
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Woody · Balsamic
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does 6-sec-Butylquinoline Smell Like?

6-sec-Butylquinoline announces itself with a bold, phenolic leather punch reminiscent of well-worn saddles and antique books. The opening has a medicinal sharpness that evolves into a warm, tobacco-like heart with subtle earthy undertones. As it dries down, it reveals a sophisticated woody-mossy character with just a whisper of animalic musk, like the lingering scent in a vintage smoking jacket after the cigar has been extinguished.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Cuir de Russie(Chanel, 1924)

Provides the authentic birch-tar leather note that defines this iconic fragrance, blending with florals to create a luxurious, slightly smoky leather accord.

Knize Ten(Knize, 1925)

Used sparingly to enhance the complex leather bouquet, adding depth and longevity to this legendary masculine fragrance.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

6-(Butan-2-yl)quinoline

SMILES: CCC(C)C1=CC=C2N=CC=CC2=C1

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

6-sec-Butylquinoline belongs to the quinoline family of heterocyclic aromatic compounds, characterized by a benzene ring fused to a pyridine ring. This synthetic molecule is typically produced through Skraup synthesis or Friedländer synthesis routes. The sec-butyl side chain at the 6-position contributes significantly to its odor profile, making it more leathery than simpler quinolines. The molecule’s planar structure and nitrogen lone pair contribute to its tenacious odor characteristics and good substantivity on skin.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling PointNot available
DensityNot available

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Middle to base
Volatility
Moderate (2-6 hours)
Blending
Good with woods, moss, spices
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance0.1-0.5%Up to 1%Powerful leather modifier
Functional Fragrance0.05-0.2%Up to 0.3%Used in leather air fresheners

Classic Accords

+ Birch Tar + Vanilla = Russian Leather + Oakmoss + Patchouli = Classic Chypre

Tip: Always pre-dilute to 1% in ethanol before incorporating into blends to ensure even distribution.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Isobutyl Quinoline CAS 93-19-6

A slightly less aggressive alternative with similar leathery characteristics but more floral undertones, useful when a softer leather note is desired.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

No specific restrictions under current IFRA standards (as of 2023).

RIFM Assessment

RIFM has evaluated related quinoline compounds but no specific assessment for this isomer is available.

Sustainability

As a synthetic material, 6-sec-Butylquinoline has minimal environmental impact in production. Being highly potent, it requires very small quantities in formulations, reducing its carbon footprint compared to natural leather materials like birch tar which require extensive processing.

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References

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

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    Physicochemical Properties

    DTXSID: DTXSID4052340

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight 185.27 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
    Density 1.01 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX
    Boiling Point 296.962 °C📊 OPERA
    Melting Point 46.565 °C📊 OPERA
    Flash Point 134.899 °C📊 OPERA
    Refractive Index 1.58 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
    Molar Volume 183.352 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

    Partition & Solubility

    LogP (Octanol-Water) 3.65 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX
    LogD (pH 5.5) 3.569 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogD (pH 7.4) 3.855 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 7.26 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    Water Solubility 0.002 mol/L📊 OPERA
    Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

    Transport Properties

    Vapor Pressure 0.002 mmHg📊 OPERA
    Viscosity 8.564 cP📊 OPERA
    Surface Tension 39.147 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
    Thermal Conductivity 125.945 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA

    Molecular Descriptors

    Topological Polar Surface Area 12.89 Ų💻 Computed
    H-Bond Donors 0 count💻 Computed
    H-Bond Acceptors 1 count💻 Computed
    Rotatable Bonds 2 count💻 Computed
    Aromatic Rings 2 count💻 Computed
    Molar Refractivity 61.004 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
    Polarizability 24.184 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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