Cyclododecyl formate (CAS 59052-82-3) — Woody Base Note Fragrance Ingredient

ByThe Good Scents
Woody · Musky

Cyclododecyl formate

CAS 59052-82-3

Origin
synthetic
Note
Base
IFRA
Generally safe
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is Cyclododecyl formate?

Cyclododecyl formate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient used in perfumery to add woody and musky nuances. It’s found in some niche fragrances and personal care products. This ester provides a subtle, long-lasting base note that helps anchor brighter top notes while adding depth to fragrance compositions.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
✓ No major safety concerns reported
⚠ Limited toxicology data available
CAS
59052-82-3
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Woody · Musky
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Cyclododecyl formate Smell Like?

Cyclododecyl formate presents a complex olfactory profile that evolves from initial crisp, slightly fruity ester notes to reveal a sophisticated woody-musky heart. The dry-down exhibits remarkable tenacity, leaving a clean yet substantial trail reminiscent of polished antique wood with a whisper of ambergris. Its odor profile bridges the gap between synthetic musks and natural woody materials, offering perfumers a versatile building block for modern accords.

Scent Profile
Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

Cyclododecanol, 1-formate

SMILES: O=COC1CCCCCCCCCCC1

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

Cyclododecyl formate belongs to the ester class, synthesized through Fischer esterification between cyclododecanol and formic acid. The large cyclododecyl ring structure contributes to its notable substantivity and diffusion properties. While not found in nature, its molecular architecture mimics certain macrocyclic musk compounds. The ester linkage provides stability while allowing controlled release of the fragrance over time.

Physical & Chemical Properties

AppearanceColorless to pale yellow liquid
Molecular WeightEstimated ~200 g/mol

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Base
Volatility
Low (6+ hours)
Blending
Good
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance0.5-2%Up to 5%Base note fixative
Functional Fragrance0.1-0.5%Up to 1%Long-lasting freshness

Classic Accords

Tip: Use to extend citrus top notes in masculine fragrances by creating a molecular bridge to woody bases.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Cyclododecanol CAS 1724-39-6

The alcohol precursor offers similar woody character without ester freshness, useful when more neutral wood notes are needed.

2
Methyl laurate CAS 111-82-0

For brighter ester effects in citrus compositions where less muskiness is desired.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

No IFRA restrictions currently apply to cyclododecyl formate.

RIFM Assessment

Not currently evaluated by RIFM due to limited commercial use.

Sustainability

As a fully synthetic material, cyclododecyl formate avoids natural resource depletion concerns. Its production from petrochemical feedstocks raises standard environmental considerations for synthetic organic chemistry. The ester’s longevity in fragrance may reduce reapplication frequency in end products.

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References

  1. Bauer et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH.

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

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Ingredient Data Sheet

CAS 59052-82-3

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight212.33 g/mol🔬 PubChem
LogP (Octanol-Water)5.2🔬 PubChem
Boiling Point261 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
Vapor Pressure0.0003 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA
Flash Point120.2 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
log Kp (skin permeability)-0.303💻 Calculated
SMILESC1CCCCCC(CCCCC1)OC=O🔬 PubChem

Volatility & Performance

Fragrance NoteBase💻 Calculated
Volatility ClassVery slow💻 Calculated
Persistence Score8.9 / 5💻 Calculated

Odor & Flavor

Primary Descriptorscamphoraceousfloralfruitywoody• 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: DTXSID70866731

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight 212.333 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
Density 0.941 g/cm^3📊 OPERA
Boiling Point 271.096 °C📊 OPERA
Melting Point -22.62 °C📊 OPERA
Flash Point 113.226 °C📊 OPERA
Refractive Index 1.457 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
Molar Volume 228.626 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 4.654 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 5.5) 4.654 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 7.4) 4.654 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 6.91 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
Water Solubility 0 mol/L📊 OPERA
Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

Transport Properties

Vapor Pressure 0.104 mmHg📊 OPERA
Viscosity 6.799 cP📊 OPERA
Surface Tension 32.812 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
Thermal Conductivity 147.15 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 2 count💻 Computed
Aromatic Rings 0 count💻 Computed
Molar Refractivity 62.259 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
Polarizability 24.682 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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