Ambrettolide (CAS 7779-50-2) — Musky Heart Note Fragrance Ingredient
Ambrettolide
CAS 7779-50-2
What Is Ambrettolide?
Ambrettolide is a synthetic musk used in perfumery to create warm, animalic undertones. It’s found in luxury fragrances and personal care products. This ingredient matters because it provides long-lasting base notes that enhance depth and sensuality in perfumes, making scents more complex and memorable.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFE
What Does Ambrettolide Smell Like?
Ambrettolide exudes a rich, musky aroma with velvety undertones, reminiscent of sun-warmed skin. It evolves from a slightly sweet, lactonic opening to a deep, animalic heart, finally settling into a soft, powdery dry-down. The scent is intimate and lingering, like a whisper of amber and vanilla woven into fabric.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Ambrettolide amplifies the animalic musk core, creating a provocative yet wearable scent that balances raw sensuality with refined elegance.
Used to modernize the classic fougère structure, adding a creamy muskiness that bridges the lavender top and vanilla base.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: O=C1CCCCC=CCCCCCCCCCO1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Ambrettolide is a macrocyclic lactone, part of the musk family. It is synthesized through ring-closing metathesis or lactonization of long-chain hydroxy acids. Unlike nitro musks, it is biodegradable and does not accumulate in the environment. Its large ring structure contributes to its persistence and diffusion in fragrances.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 252.36 g/mol |
|---|---|
| Boiling Point | N/A |
| Melting Point | N/A |
| Flash Point | N/A |
| Density | N/A |
| Vapor Pressure | N/A |
| Refractive Index | N/A |
| Solubility | N/A |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Adds musky depth |
| Personal Care | 0.5-1% | Up to 2% | For subtle sensuality |
Classic Accords
+ Rose + Sandalwood = Floral Musk
Tip: Use sparingly to avoid overwhelming other notes; excels in enhancing warmth and longevity.
Alternatives & Comparisons
A cleaner, more synthetic musk alternative when a less animalic profile is desired.
Provides a similar muskiness but with stronger diffusion and less lactonic 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 restricted by IFRA. Safe for use in all categories.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safety at current usage levels in fragrances.
Sustainability
Ambrettolide is synthesized from petrochemical precursors, but its biodegradability makes it environmentally preferable to nitro musks. Sustainable production methods are being explored to reduce carbon footprint.
Explore Ambrettolide
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Industry & Science Data
References
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Ingredient Data Sheet
CAS 7779-50-2Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 252.39 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 5.5🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 305 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 168.2 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -0.335💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | C1CCCCC=CCCCCC(=O)OCCCC1🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Base💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 14.8 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | berrymusky• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | esteretheralkene💻 RDKit |
| w-6-Hexadecenlactone has a very strong, musk-like odor.📖 Fenaroli | |
Regulatory Status
| IOFI Classification | Nature Identical📖 Fenaroli |
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: DTXSID6040799
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 252.398 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.912 g/cm^3📊 OPERA |
| Boiling Point | 356.444 °C📊 OPERA |
| Melting Point | 31.102 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 168.094 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.445 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 282.408 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 5.389 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 5.389 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 5.389 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 8.91 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 | 5.947 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 28.857 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 26.3 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 75.127 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 29.783 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.
