7-Cyclohexadecen-1-one (CAS 2550-59-6) — Musky Base Note Fragrance Ingredient
7-Cyclohexadecen-1-one
CAS 2550-59-6
What Is 7-Cyclohexadecen-1-one?
7-Cyclohexadecen-1-one is a synthetic musk compound used in modern perfumery. It’s found in long-lasting fragrances like laundry detergents and prestige perfumes. This ingredient matters because it provides a clean, musky foundation that enhances other notes while being more environmentally stable than traditional musks.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does 7-Cyclohexadecen-1-one Smell Like?
A powerful macrocyclic musk with a clean, diffusive character. Opens with crisp laundry-like freshness before revealing a warm, skin-like muskiness. The dry-down is remarkably persistent – like sun-warmed linen with an intimate animalic whisper. Compared to traditional musks, it’s less sweet and more mineral, evoking bleached seashells and starched cotton with a subtle metallic edge.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: O=C1CCCCCCCCC=CCCCCC1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
7-Cyclohexadecen-1-one belongs to the macrocyclic ketone class of synthetic musks. These compounds mimic natural musk odorants while offering superior stability and environmental profiles. The synthesis typically involves cyclization of long-chain dienes followed by selective oxidation. The unsaturated cyclohexadecene ring provides optimal molecular flexibility for musk receptor binding while resisting photodegradation.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Molecular Class | Macrocyclic ketone |
|---|---|
| Odor Threshold | Extremely low (ppb range) |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Musk foundation |
| Functional Products | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Long-lasting freshness |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with white musks to add diffusion and mineral character.
Alternatives & Comparisons
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
Considered safe at current usage levels based on RIFM assessments.
Sustainability
As a synthetic musk, 7-Cyclohexadecen-1-one avoids the ecological concerns of animal-derived musks. Its molecular structure was designed for reduced environmental persistence compared to nitro musks, though macrocyclic musks still require careful wastewater management in manufacturing.
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References
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 2550-59-6Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 236.39 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 5.6🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 315 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 149.6 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -0.166💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | C1CCCCC(=O)CCCCCC=CCCC1🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Base💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 12.9 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Functional Groups | ketonealkene💻 RDKit |
Regulatory Status
| IFRA Listed | Yes — see IFRA Standards for category limits⚖️ IFRA 51 |
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: DTXSID5074397
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 236.399 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.871 g/cm^3📊 OPERA |
| Boiling Point | 331.315 °C📊 OPERA |
| Melting Point | 34.565 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 149.306 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.45 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 273.627 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 5.728 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 5.728 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 5.728 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 8.14 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Viscosity | 5.767 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 30.472 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 147.001 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 | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 73.522 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 29.146 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.
