Acetyl cedrene (CAS 32388-55-9) — Woody Heart Note Fragrance Ingredient
Acetyl cedrene
CAS 32388-55-9
What Is Acetyl cedrene?
Acetyl cedrene is a synthetic woody fragrance ingredient used in perfumes and scented products. It provides a warm, cedar-like aroma that enhances masculine and unisex fragrances. This molecule matters because it creates long-lasting woody depth without relying on natural cedarwood oils, making fragrances more sustainable and consistent in quality.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Acetyl cedrene Smell Like?
Acetyl cedrene unfolds with an initial burst of dry, pencil-shaving cedar that gradually softens into a velvety woodiness. Like walking through an antique cedar chest, it carries faint whispers of vanilla-kissed sawdust and the ghost of campfire embers. The dry-down reveals a polished wood character—imagine sanded cedar planks warmed by sunlight—with exceptional tenacity that anchors fragrance compositions for hours.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Provides the signature flinty cedar backbone, complementing vetiver with a modern woody-synthetic edge that lasts longer than natural cedar oils.
Used as a cedarwood enhancer, adding dry woodiness that bridges the gap between sandalwood and cardamom top notes.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: [H][C@]12C[C@@]3(CC(C(C)=O)=C1C)[C@H](C)CC[C@@]3([H])C2(C)C
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Acetyl cedrene belongs to the sesquiterpene ketone class, synthesized through acetylation of cedrene derived from cedarwood oil fractions. The synthetic route typically involves Friedel-Crafts acylation to introduce the acetyl group, creating a more stable and odor-intensive molecule than its natural precursor. Its rigid tricyclic structure contributes to exceptional volatility control in fragrance formulations.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow liquid |
|---|---|
| Odor Threshold | 0.01 ppm in air |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Woody base modifier |
| Functional Fragrances | 0.5-1% | Up to 2% | Soap/detergent stability |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with ionones to create a ‘floating wood’ effect that lifts heavy base notes.
Alternatives & Comparisons
When more amber-like sweetness is desired while maintaining cedar character.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. IFRA, REACH, EU Cosmetics Regulation standards update periodically. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating. Not legal or regulatory advice.
IFRA Status
Not currently restricted by IFRA standards.
RIFM Assessment
Under evaluation by RIFM (2023). Preliminary data suggests low sensitization potential.
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, acetyl cedrene reduces pressure on cedarwood forests while offering consistent quality. Production typically uses byproducts from cedarwood oil distillation, maximizing resource efficiency. The synthesis route has moderate energy requirements but avoids solvent-intensive extraction processes.
Explore Acetyl cedrene
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References
- Bauer et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH. ISBN 9783527618421
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID4029353
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 246.394 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.001 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 320.9 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 66.694 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 132.404 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.517 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 245.059 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 5.75 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 4.589 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 4.589 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 8.41 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 1.875 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Surface Tension | 35.184 dyn/cm📊 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 | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 74.148 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 29.394 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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