Beta-Caryophyllene (CAS 87-44-5) — Woody Base Note Fragrance Ingredient
Beta-Caryophyllene
CAS 87-44-5
What Is Beta-Caryophyllene?
Beta-Caryophyllene is a naturally occurring sesquiterpene found in many essential oils like clove, black pepper, and cannabis. You’ll encounter it in spicy perfumes, herbal remedies, and some food flavorings. This unique molecule doubles as a fragrance ingredient and cannabinoid receptor activator, making it valuable for both scent profiles and potential therapeutic effects. Its woody-spicy character adds depth to compositions while being one of the few fragrance compounds with direct biological activity.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Beta-Caryophyllene Smell Like?
Beta-Caryophyllene unfolds with an initial burst of dry, peppery spice that quickly settles into a warm woody base. Imagine cracked black peppercorns releasing their aromatic oils onto aged cedar planks. The scent evolves into a sophisticated blend of camphoraceous freshness and earthy depth, with subtle hints of clove-like sweetness. Unlike sharper spice notes, it maintains a rounded, almost creamy quality during dry-down. Its tenacity allows it to bridge top and middle notes beautifully, adding structure without overpowering. The dryout reveals faint balsamic undertones reminiscent of aged patchouli or sandalwood sawdust.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used as a core spice modifier that tempers the sharper pink pepper notes while adding woody depth. Provides the fragrance’s signature ’rounded explosion’ effect where spice feels warm rather than piercing.
Contributes to the legendary oriental base, blending with clove and cinnamon to create a narcotic spice accord. Its woody character prevents the composition from becoming overly sweet.
Serves as the molecular backbone of this minimalist composition, showcasing how a single terpene can create complexity. The perfumer amplified its camphoraceous facets through careful blending with clean musks.
Works synergistically with the sandalwood base to enhance woodiness while preventing the vanilla notes from dominating. Adds a subtle peppery lift that makes the scent more wearable.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: [H][C@]12CC(C)(C)[C@]1([H])CC\C(C)=C\CCC2=C
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Beta-Caryophyllene is a bicyclic sesquiterpene featuring a rare cyclobutane ring within its structure. It’s classified as a dietary cannabinoid due to its action on CB2 receptors, though it lacks psychoactivity. Naturally occurring as both (+) and (-) enantiomers, with the (-) form being more common in plants. Industrially produced via cyclization of farnesene or extracted from clove oil (15-25% content). The molecule’s rigidity contributes to its excellent stability in formulations. Its volatility profile places it firmly in the base note category despite some initial spicy brightness.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 262-264 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.905 g/cm³ |
| Flash Point | >100 °C |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.01 mmHg at 25°C |
| XLogP | 5.2 |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-3% | 0.5-5% | Base note modifier |
| Functional Fragrance | 0.5-1% | 0.1-2% | Spice accord builder |
| Flavorings | 10-50 ppm | 5-100 ppm | Warm spice enhancement |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use to ‘ground’ brighter spice notes – it converts sharpness into warmth without losing definition.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Oxidized form with sharper, more camphoraceous character. Use when needing more lift in spice accords or cannabis-reminiscent effects.
Structural isomer with greener, less spicy profile. Better for herbal compositions where pepperiness should be subtle.
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
No restrictions under IFRA 49th Amendment. Classified as non-sensitizing in extensive testing.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM evaluation confirms safety at current use levels with wide margin of exposure. No endocrine disruption concerns identified.
Sustainability
Increasingly produced via biotech routes using engineered yeast, reducing pressure on natural sources like clove trees. The synthetic version is chemically identical to natural isolates. Carbon footprint varies by source – CO2 extracts from agricultural byproducts (pepper stems) are most sustainable. Biodegradation occurs within 28 days under standard OECD tests.
Explore Beta-Caryophyllene
Browse essential oils and aroma compounds.
Browse on iHerb →Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
References
- Gertsch J. et al. (2008). Beta-caryophyllene is a dietary cannabinoid. PNAS. PMID 18574142
- IFRA Standards Library (2021). Caryophyllene safety assessment. IFRA Doc 14567
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 87-44-5Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 204.35 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4.4🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 128.9 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.045 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 101.1 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.0034💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -0.823💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC1=CCCC(=C)C2CC(C2CC1)(C)C🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Top💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 3 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | dryspicywoody• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | alkene💻 RDKit |
| “like", but the author finds that the typical "Clove-odor" is to be found only in Clove bud oil and Clove bud absolute - apart from the dried Clove buds proper. And in those products one will find fresh-fruity, creamy, slightly green notes in the non-Eugenolic portion. One test on Clove oil uses Magnesium carbonate upon which you drop a few drops of Clove bud oil. If the wet mass smells of Clove after several hours, one is allowed to conclude that this was Clove oil and not just Eugenol. However,”📖 Arctander | |
| b-Caryophyllene has a terpene odor, midway between that of cloves and turpentine.📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “Dry-woody, somewhat bitter taste. It is true that there is a similarity to Clove leaf oil, but that oil does contain Caryophyllene and includes it in its odor picture. Used in flavor compositions, mainly in spice blends and particularly for chewing gum, where concentrations may be as high as 200 ppm”📖 Arctander |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 0.1535 ppm (n=5)📖 van Gemert |
Regulatory Status
| EU Annex III | Listed (restricted)⚖️ IFRA 51 |
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2252⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| GRAS Status | Generally Recognized as Safe⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| 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: DTXSID8024739
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 204.357 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.904 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 257.5 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -40.012 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 103.837 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.495 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 228.452 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 6.265 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 5.849 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 5.849 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 6.9 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0.027 atm-m3/mole🔬 EPA CTX |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.056 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 3.662 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 29.704 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 111.615 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 0 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 66.596 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 26.401 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.
Related Research
- Fenchone (CAS 1195-79-5) — Woody Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
- Ethyl Benzoate (CAS 93-89-0) — Sweet Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
- Isopropyl cinnamate (CAS 7780-06-05) — Balsamic Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
- 2-Naphthalenecarboxaldehyde, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-3,5,5,6,7,8,8-heptamethyl- (CAS 127459-79-4) — Woody Base Note Fragrance Ingredient
![4-Methyl-8-methylenetricyclo[3.3.1.(3,7)]decan-2-yl acetate (CAS 122760-85-4) — Woody Base Note Fragrance Ingredient](https://thegoodscents.company/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/4-methyl-8-methylenetricyclo-3-3-1-1-1-768x439.webp)
