Cyclohexanol (CAS 108-93-0) — Woody Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Cyclohexanol
CAS 108-93-0
What Is Cyclohexanol?
Cyclohexanol is a synthetic alcohol used as a solvent and fragrance ingredient. You’ll encounter it in cleaning products, industrial applications, and some perfumes where it adds subtle woody notes. While not a star ingredient, cyclohexanol matters as a versatile building block that helps balance and extend other scents in functional fragrances.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does Cyclohexanol Smell Like?
Cyclohexanol presents a clean, slightly camphoraceous odor with woody undertones reminiscent of damp cedar. The initial sharpness quickly mellows into a persistent, mildly sweet alcohol character that blends seamlessly with other ingredients. In dilution, it develops a faintly floral aspect akin to distant lilacs, though never overpowering. Its dry-down is remarkably stable, leaving a transparent, slightly waxy trail that works well as a neutral background for more volatile top notes.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: OC1CCCCC1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Cyclohexanol is a secondary alcohol with a six-membered cycloaliphatic structure. Industrially produced by catalytic hydrogenation of phenol or oxidation of cyclohexane, it serves as precursor to adipic acid and caprolactam. The molecule exhibits chair conformation typical of cyclohexanes, with the hydroxyl group occupying equatorial or axial positions. While not optically active itself, derivatives play roles in asymmetric synthesis. Its hydrogen-bonding capacity influences solubility and volatility compared to simpler alcohols.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 160-161 °C |
|---|---|
| Melting Point | 25 °C |
| Density | 0.962 g/cm³ |
| Flash Point | 67 °C |
| Solubility | 3.6 g/100 mL in water |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Functional Fragrances | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Solvent and fixative |
| Household Cleaners | 1-3% | Up to 10% | Deodorizing effect |
| Industrial Applications | 5-15% | Up to 25% | Chemical intermediate |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use cyclohexanol to tame harsh top notes while adding subtle body to functional compositions.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not restricted under current IFRA standards (Amendment 49)
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM evaluation confirms safe use at current industry levels with proper handling precautions.
Sustainability
As a petrochemical derivative, cyclohexanol’s environmental impact stems from benzene feedstock sourcing. Modern production routes emphasize catalytic efficiency to minimize waste. While not biodegradable, its low usage levels in fragrance make aquatic toxicity concerns negligible compared to industrial applications. Future green chemistry approaches may enable bio-based production from sugar feedstocks.
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References
- PubChem Compound Summary for Cyclohexanol CID 7966
- IFRA Standards Library Amendment 49
- OECD SIDS Initial Assessment Report SIAM 28
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID4021894
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 100.161 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.961 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 160.925 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 23.948 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 66.325 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.478 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 103.441 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 1.231 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 1.28 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 1.28 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 5.18 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| Water Solubility | 0.373 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole🔬 EPA CTX |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 1.2 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 8.173 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 30.672 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 142.528 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 | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 29.261 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 11.6 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.
