cis-2-tert-Butylcyclohexyl acetate (CAS 20298-69-5) — Woody Middle to base Note Fragrance Ingredient

Woody · Musky

cis-2-tert-Butylcyclohexyl acetate

CAS 20298-69-5

Origin
synthetic
Note
Middle to base
IFRA
Generally safe
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is cis-2-tert-Butylcyclohexyl acetate?

cis-2-tert-Butylcyclohexyl acetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient used in perfumes and scented products to add a fresh, woody character. It’s often found in modern colognes and body care items. This molecule matters because it provides a clean, long-lasting scent that blends well with other notes, making it a versatile tool for perfumers to create balanced fragrances.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
Safe for use in consumer products
Limited safety data available
CAS
20298-69-5
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Woody · Musky
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does cis-2-tert-Butylcyclohexyl acetate Smell Like?

cis-2-tert-Butylcyclohexyl acetate opens with a crisp, slightly metallic freshness reminiscent of chilled stainless steel. The heart reveals a rounded woody character with subtle musky undertones, like polished oak in a sunlit room. As it dries down, it leaves a clean, slightly soapy trail with excellent tenacity. The overall effect is modern and unisex – neither overtly masculine nor feminine, but with a sophisticated urban edge that works equally well in fresh fougères and contemporary woody compositions.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Bleu de Chanel(Chanel, 2010)

Used as a woody-modifier in the base, contributing to the fragrance’s polished, urban character without overpowering the citrus and incense notes.

Dior Homme Sport(Christian Dior, 2012)

Provides a clean, modern woody backbone that supports the citrus top notes and ginger heart in this fresh masculine.

Light Blue Pour Homme(Dolce & Gabbana, 2007)

Adds a crisp, contemporary edge to the aquatic base, enhancing the fragrance’s daytime versatility.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

cis-2-tert-Butylcyclohexyl acetate

SMILES: CC(=O)O[C@H]1CCCC[C@H]1C(C)(C)C

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

cis-2-tert-Butylcyclohexyl acetate belongs to the cyclohexyl ester class of fragrance materials. The tert-butyl group at the 2-position creates significant steric hindrance, influencing both the odor characteristics and the molecule’s stability. Industrial synthesis typically involves the acetylation of cis-2-tert-butylcyclohexanol using acetic anhydride. The cis configuration is crucial for the desired olfactory profile, as the trans isomer exhibits markedly different scent characteristics.

Physical & Chemical Properties

AppearanceColorless to pale yellow liquid
Boiling PointEstimated 240-250 °C
DensityEstimated 0.92-0.95 g/cm³

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Middle to base
Volatility
Moderate (2-4 hours)
Blending
Good
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance1-3%0.5-5%Woody-modifier in masculine scents
Body Care0.2-1%0.1-2%Adds clean sophistication
Functional Fragrance0.1-0.5%0.05-1%Long-lasting freshness

Classic Accords

Tip: Use with citrus top notes to create a ‘lifted’ woody effect in fresh compositions.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Verdox CAS 88-41-5

For a greener, more herbal woody character with similar stability but different odor profile.

2
Timberol CAS 28219-61-6

When a smoother, more rounded woody note is desired without the metallic freshness.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.

IFRA Status

Not currently restricted under IFRA standards.

RIFM Assessment

Under evaluation by RIFM. Preliminary data suggests low risk profile at current usage levels.

Sustainability

As a synthetic material, cis-2-tert-Butylcyclohexyl acetate has minimal environmental impact in production compared to natural alternatives. The synthesis route is efficient with good atom economy, and the material’s stability contributes to fragrance longevity, reducing the need for reapplication. Being petroleum-derived, its sustainability depends on the energy sources used in production.

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References

  1. Bauer, K. et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH. ISBN 978-3-527-30364-6

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

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Physicochemical Properties

DTXSID: DTXSID2051845

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight 198.306 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
Density 0.923 g/cm^3📊 OPERA
Boiling Point 225.544 °C📊 OPERA
Melting Point 26.939 °C📊 OPERA
Flash Point 87.848 °C📊 OPERA
Refractive Index 1.451 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
Molar Volume 213.127 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 4.419 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 5.5) 4.419 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 7.4) 4.419 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 5.84 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
Water Solubility 0.001 mol/L📊 OPERA
Henry's Law Constant 0.001 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

Transport Properties

Vapor Pressure 0.072 mmHg📊 OPERA
Viscosity 4.96 cP📊 OPERA
Surface Tension 29.529 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
Thermal Conductivity 122.905 mW/(m*K)📊 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 1 count💻 Computed
Aromatic Rings 0 count💻 Computed
Molar Refractivity 57.38 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
Polarizability 22.747 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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