Cyclohexanone (CAS 108-94-1) — Woody Not applicable Note Fragrance Ingredient

Woody · Green

Cyclohexanone

CAS 108-94-1

Origin
synthetic
Note
Not applicable
IFRA
Professional use
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is Cyclohexanone?

Cyclohexanone is a synthetic solvent with a distinct odor, commonly encountered in industrial settings and some consumer products like paint removers. Its chemical properties make it useful for manufacturing nylon and other materials. While not typically found in perfumery, its presence in manufacturing processes impacts fragrance production.

Safety Profile

PROFESSIONAL USE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
Can cause respiratory irritation
Avoid skin contact
CAS
108-94-1
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Woody · Green
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Cyclohexanone Smell Like?

Cyclohexanone has a sharp, peppery odor with chemical undertones. Its scent is often described as harsh and industrial, lacking the nuance of traditional fragrance ingredients. The odor persists with little evolution, maintaining its acrid character throughout. Not commonly used in perfumery due to its unpleasant profile.

Scent Profile
Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

Cyclohexanone

SMILES: O=C1CCCCC1

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

Cyclohexanone is a cyclic ketone with the formula (CH2)5CO. It is produced via the oxidation of cyclohexane or the dehydrogenation of cyclohexanol. Industrially significant as a precursor to nylon, it has limited use in fragrance due to its harsh odor profile. The molecule’s ring structure contributes to its stability and volatility.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling Point155-156 °C
Density0.947 g/cm³
Flash Point44 °C
Vapor Pressure4.7 mmHg at 25°C

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Not applicable
Volatility
High
Blending
Poor
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
IndustrialNot usedN/APrimarily a chemical intermediate

Classic Accords

Tip: Avoid in fine fragrance due to harsh odor.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Cyclohexanol CAS 108-93-0

Less harsh odor profile, sometimes used as a solvent in fragrance applications.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

Not restricted by IFRA but not recommended for fragrance use.

GHS Classification

H226 Flammable liquid and vapor H315 Causes skin irritation H319 Causes serious eye irritation

RIFM Assessment

Not evaluated by RIFM for fragrance use.

Sustainability

Cyclohexanone is petroleum-derived, with significant environmental impact from production. Industrial recycling efforts exist but are limited. Not considered sustainable for fragrance applications.

Explore Cyclohexanone

Browse essential oils and aroma compounds.

Browse on iHerb →

Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

References

  1. PubChem Compound Summary for Cyclohexanone CID 7967

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

Report a data error

Physicochemical Properties

DTXSID: DTXSID6020359

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight 98.145 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
Density 0.947 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX
Boiling Point 155.329 °C🔬 EPA CTX
Melting Point -32.418 °C🔬 EPA CTX
Flash Point 45.417 °C🔬 EPA CTX
Refractive Index 1.453 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
Molar Volume 102.952 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 0.812 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX
LogD (pH 5.5) 0.857 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 7.4) 0.857 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 3.49 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
Water Solubility 0.336 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX
Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole🔬 EPA CTX

Transport Properties

Vapor Pressure 4.69 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX
Viscosity 1.282 cP📊 OPERA
Surface Tension 32.316 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
Thermal Conductivity 138.797 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA

Molecular Descriptors

Topological Polar Surface Area 17.07 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 27.801 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
Polarizability 11.021 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.

Similar Posts