d-.alpha.-Pinene (CAS 7785-70-8) — Green Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
d-.alpha.-Pinene
CAS 7785-70-8
What Is d-.alpha.-Pinene?
d-α-Pinene is a crisp, pine-scented molecule found naturally in conifer trees and citrus peels. You encounter it in pine-scented cleaners, forest-inspired perfumes, and some gin botanicals. This fresh terpene creates an instant ‘forest walk’ effect in fragrances, making it essential for masculine colognes and natural-smelling home products. Its sharpness cuts through heavier notes while remaining recognizable.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does d-.alpha.-Pinene Smell Like?
A brisk alpine wind captured in molecules – d-α-Pinene hits with a piercing, almost metallic pine freshness that recalls snapped twigs and crushed pine needles. The initial sharpness softens into a dry, woody-resinous character reminiscent of sun-warmed pine bark. Unlike its β-pinene cousin, this stereoisomer carries a cleaner, more focused top note with less herbal complexity, making it ideal when you want crystalline forest air rather than dense undergrowth. In drydown, it leaves a faintly camphoraceous whisper that blends seamlessly with woods and citruses.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Provides the crisp pencil-shaving pine note that cuts through the creamy sandalwood, creating the fragrance’s signature ‘lumberyard chic’ contrast.
Used alongside violet leaf to construct the dewy ‘just-mowed lawn’ effect in the opening, with pinene’s sharpness evoking morning frost on grass.
The star player in this classic fougère, where overdosed pinene creates an almost hyperrealistic pine forest effect before mossy drydown.
Pinene’s camphoraceous edge amplifies the citrus freshness while preventing the herbal notes from becoming too sweet or powdery.
Used at extreme concentrations to recreate the smoldering incense-pine atmosphere of Scandinavian black metal album covers.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC1=CC[C@@H]2C[C@H]1C2(C)C
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
As a monoterpene, d-α-Pinene consists of two isoprene units forming a bicyclic structure with a four-membered ring. The ‘d-‘ prefix indicates its dextrorotatory optical activity (+51° in ethanol). Industrially produced via fractional distillation of turpentine or through catalytic isomerization of β-pinene. The α form is more thermally stable than β-pinene due to less ring strain. Chiral purity matters in perfumery – the d-isomer smells cleaner and more coniferous than the l-isomer’s earthier profile.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 155-156 °C |
|---|---|
| Flash Point | 32 °C (closed cup) |
| Density | 0.858 g/cm³ |
| Vapor Pressure | 2.6 mmHg at 25°C |
| Refractive Index | 1.4652 at 20°C |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 2-5% | Up to 10% | Fougères, citrus colognes |
| Functional Products | 0.5-3% | Up to 5% | Pine disinfectants, air fresheners |
| Flavorings | 10-50 ppm | Up to 100 ppm | Gin, herbal liqueurs |
Classic Accords
Tip: Stabilize in ethanol before adding to water-based formulations to prevent hazing.
Alternatives & Comparisons
More herbal and less sharp; use when you want a warmer, slightly peppery pine character rather than crisp needles.
Offers similar terpenic freshness but with added lemon-peel brightness and less camphoraceous drydown.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No IFRA restrictions (as of 49th Amendment). Considered safe at all typical usage levels.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM evaluation confirms safe use current practices (Fragrance Ingredient Safety Assessment, 2016).
Sustainability
Most commercial d-α-Pinene comes as a byproduct of paper pulping (sulfate turpentine), making it a good example of industrial symbiosis. Synthetic production via pinane hydroperoxide route exists but is less common. Biocatalytic production from renewable feedstocks being researched. The d-isomer is more abundant in nature than l-α-pinene, reducing separation energy costs.
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References
- Bauer et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH. ISBN 9783527619560
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 7785-70-8Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 136.23 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.8🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 155 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 2.1902 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 32 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.2022💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -1.543💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC1=CCC2CC1C2(C)C🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Top💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Moderate💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 0.5 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | greenwoody• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | alkene💻 RDKit |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 2.1 ppm📖 van Gemert |
Regulatory Status
| EU Annex III | Listed (restricted)⚖️ IFRA 51 |
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: DTXSID7041671
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 136.238 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.86 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 155.5 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -62 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 31.988 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.479 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 154.905 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4.44 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 4.484 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 4.484 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 4.44 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0.135 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 2.813 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 1.679 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 27.057 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 114.426 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 0 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 43.964 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 17.429 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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