(+)–Bisabolol (CAS 23178-88-3) — Sweet Heart to base Note Fragrance Ingredient
(+)-_-Bisabolol
CAS 23178-88-3
What Is (+)-_-Bisabolol?
(+)-α-Bisabolol is a naturally derived compound found in chamomile and other botanicals, often used in skincare for its soothing properties. In fragrances, it contributes a soft, woody-floral character. This ingredient matters because it bridges cosmetic functionality with perfumery, offering both skin benefits and a delicate scent profile that enhances natural-smelling compositions.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does (+)-_-Bisabolol Smell Like?
(+)-α-Bisabolol emits a gentle, creamy sweetness reminiscent of chamomile tea with a whisper of honeyed apple peel. Its floralcy is subdued, leaning towards powdery magnolia petals rather than sharp florals. The dry-down reveals a tender woodiness akin to sandalwood sawdust, fading into a skin-like musk. Unlike sharper bisabolol isomers, this enantiomer maintains a rounded softness throughout evaporation, making it ideal for intimate, comforting accords.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used to soften the galbanum-powdery heart with a honeyed floral texture, creating the fragrance’s iconic ‘falling in love’ accord.
Provides the creamy bridge between iris root powder and white musk base, enhancing skin-scent illusion.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: [H][C@]1(CCC(C)=CC1)[C@](C)(O)CCC=C(C)C
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
(+)-α-Bisabolol is a monocyclic sesquiterpene alcohol with three chiral centers, the (+)-enantiomer being the dominant bioactive form in chamomile oil. Industrially produced via stereoselective synthesis from farnesyl derivatives or enzymatic resolution of racemic mixtures. The α-position hydroxyl group and trisubstituted double bond make it more stable than β-bisabolol against oxidation, while the R-configuration at C6 delivers superior odor characteristics compared to the S-form.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 153-154 °C at 12 mmHg |
|---|---|
| Optical Rotation | +51° to +56° (20°C, c=5 in ethanol) |
| Solubility | Soluble in ethanol, oils; insoluble in water |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Skin-scent enhancer |
| Skincare Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 8% | Functional-therapeutic use |
Classic Accords
Tip: Stabilize in dipropylene glycol to prevent crystallization in alcohol bases.
Alternatives & Comparisons
The levorotatory enantiomer with sharper woodiness, used when more diffusion is needed at the cost of creaminess.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No restrictions under IFRA 49th Amendment.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safe use up to 3.9% in fine fragrances (2016).
Sustainability
Primarily synthesized from petrochemical precursors, though some producers use bioengineered yeast fermentation. Natural extraction from chamomile is limited by low yield (0.1-0.5% of oil). The synthetic route reduces agricultural land use compared to plant-derived material, with newer enzymatic processes improving green chemistry metrics.
Explore (+)-_-Bisabolol
Browse essential oils and aroma compounds.
Browse on iHerb →Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
References
- Bickers et al. (2005). A toxicologic and dermatologic assessment of cyclic and non-cyclic terpene alcohols. Food Chem Toxicol. PMID 16112335
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID001370999
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 222.372 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.911 g/cm^3📊 OPERA |
| Boiling Point | 289 °C📊 OPERA |
| Melting Point | 76.7 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 118.652 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.494 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 240.926 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4.713 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 4.713 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 4.713 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 8.93 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.001 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.003 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Viscosity | 9.719 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 31.485 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 135.411 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 20.23 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 4 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 70.14 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 27.806 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.
