Cetalox (CAS 3738-00-9) — amber base Note Fragrance Ingredient

ByThe Good Scents
amber woody

Cetalox

CAS 3738-00-9

Origin
synthetic
Note
base
IFRA
Generally safe
Data as of: Mar 2026

What Is Cetalox?

Cetalox is a synthetic amber-woody fragrance molecule used in perfumes and scented products. It creates warm, musky base notes that linger on skin and fabrics. This versatile ingredient helps anchor floral and citrus top notes while adding depth to modern fragrances.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
✓ IFRA approved with no restrictions
✓ Not classified as an allergen
CAS
3738-00-9
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
amber woody
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Cetalox Smell Like?

Cetalox unfolds like sun-warmed skin after a day at the beach – a soft, musky amber that’s neither sweet nor animalic. Initially crisp with a subtle woody dryness, it evolves into a velvety haze reminiscent of clean linen stored in a cedar chest. The dry-down reveals its true magic: an intimate skin scent that amplifies natural body warmth, creating the illusion of pheromones without any overt sexuality. Unlike heavier ambers, Cetalox maintains an airy quality even at high concentrations, making it ideal for modern transparent compositions.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Molecule 02(Escentric Molecules, 2008)

This minimalist fragrance showcases Cetalox’s ability to create olfactory illusions – the single molecule composition tricks the nose into perceiving complex warmth and texture.

Not a Perfume Superdose(Juliette Has a Gun, 2017)

Amplified Cetalox forms a transparent musky veil that interacts uniquely with each wearer’s skin chemistry, creating personalized scent signatures.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

Dodecahydro-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethylnaphtho[2,1-b]furan

SMILES: CC12CCC3C(C)(C)CCCC3(C)C1CCO2

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

Cetalox belongs to the decalin family of synthetic musks, structurally related to ambroxan but with greater diffusion. Its synthesis typically involves hydrogenation of natural ambergris precursors or fully synthetic routes from petroleum derivatives. The molecule’s rigid polycyclic structure contributes to exceptional longevity while maintaining low odor detection thresholds. Unlike traditional musks, Cetalox lacks nitro or polycyclic aromatic groups, making it more environmentally persistent but less bioaccumulative.

Physical & Chemical Properties

AppearanceWhite crystalline powder
SolubilitySoluble in ethanol and oils

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Base
Volatility
Very low (8+ hours)
Blending
Exceptional
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance1-3%Up to 5%Base note amplifier
Functional Fragrance0.1-0.5%Up to 1%Fabric conditioner base

Classic Accords

+ Ambroxan = Transparent ambery musk + Iso E Super = Woody diffusion booster + Hedione = Skin scent enhancer

Tip: Use at 0.5% to lift heavy oriental bases without adding sweetness.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Ambroxan CAS 6790-58-5

More marine/amber character with similar longevity but less skin affinity. Better for aquatic compositions.

2
Velvione CAS 33704-61-9

Softer musk with lactonic facets when a creamier dry-down is desired. Higher odor detection threshold.

Layer 3

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.

RIFM Assessment

RIFM evaluation confirms safe use at current industry levels with wide exposure margins.

Sustainability

As a fully synthetic material, Cetalox production avoids marine mammal sourcing concerns associated with natural ambergris. Its environmental persistence requires careful wastewater management in manufacturing facilities. The material’s potency means relatively small quantities deliver significant olfactory impact, reducing overall carbon footprint per kilogram of finished product.

Explore Cetalox

Browse essential oils and aroma compounds.

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References

  1. IFRA Standards Library (2021). 49th Amendment Restricted Materials List. IFRA Official
  2. Sell C. (2006). The Chemistry of Fragrances. RSC Publishing. DOI:10.1039/9781847555404

Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.

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Ingredient Data Sheet

CAS 3738-00-9

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight236.39 g/mol🔬 PubChem
LogP (Octanol-Water)4.7🔬 PubChem
Boiling Point120 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
log Kp (skin permeability)-0.805💻 Calculated
SMILESCC1(CCCC2(C1CCC3(C2CCO3)C)C)C🔬 PubChem

Volatility & Performance

Fragrance NoteTop💻 Calculated

Odor & Flavor

Primary Descriptorsamberwoody• leffingwell
Functional Groupsether💻 RDKit
Data Sources & Attribution
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: DTXSID2048119

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight 236.399 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
Density 1.081 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX
Boiling Point 323.925 °C🔬 EPA CTX
Melting Point 80 °C🔬 EPA CTX
Flash Point 117.341 °C📊 OPERA
Refractive Index 1.481 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
Molar Volume 251.62 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 5.09 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX
LogD (pH 5.5) 5.342 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 7.4) 5.342 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 7.42 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
Water Solubility 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX
Henry's Law Constant 0.001 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

Transport Properties

Vapor Pressure 0.004 mmHg📊 OPERA
Viscosity 15.742 cP📊 OPERA
Surface Tension 33.406 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
Thermal Conductivity 102.322 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA

Molecular Descriptors

Topological Polar Surface Area 9.23 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 71.59 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
Polarizability 28.381 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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