d-Linalool (CAS 126-90-9) — Floral Top to Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
d-Linalool
CAS 126-90-9
What Is d-Linalool?
d-Linalool is a naturally occurring terpene alcohol found in many flowers and spice plants. It’s a key component in lavender, bergamot, and coriander. You encounter it in perfumes, soaps, and aromatherapy products. This molecule matters because it contributes fresh, floral notes while being relatively stable and versatile in formulations.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does d-Linalool Smell Like?
d-Linalool greets with a bright, citrusy-floral burst reminiscent of peeled mandarin rind and lily petals. Within minutes, it softens into a herbaceous lavender heart with subtle woody undertones. The dry-down reveals a clean, slightly sweet muskiness that lingers close to the skin. Unlike its racemic counterpart, the d-isomer carries a distinctly fresher, more ‘alive’ character.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
The citrus-floral accord uses d-linalool’s brightness to complement hedione, creating a timeless masculine freshness.
Here d-linalool softens carnation’s spice with its floral facets, enhancing the perfume’s powdery elegance.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC(C)=CCC[C@](C)(O)C=C
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
d-Linalool (C10H18O) is a monoterpenoid with one stereocenter. The d-isomer predominates in lavender and sweet orange, while l-linalool occurs in coriander. Industrial production involves fractional distillation of essential oils or stereoselective synthesis from pinene. Chirality matters – the d-form smells fresher while the l-form has more woody notes. It readily undergoes acid-catalyzed cyclization to α-terpineol.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 198 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.865 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.461 |
| Flash Point | 76 °C |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 5-15% | Up to 30% | Core floral modifier |
| Functional Fragrance | 0.5-3% | Up to 5% | Soap and detergent applications |
Classic Accords
Tip: Stabilize with antioxidants like BHT to prevent autoxidation that can create sensitizing compounds.
Alternatives & Comparisons
When a more complex, natural lavender character is desired, though with less precision.
For a softer, fruitier lavender effect with greater stability.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No IFRA restrictions. Listed in IFRA Transparency List Amendment 49.
EU Allergen Declaration
Must be declared when present >0.001% in leave-on products (Annex III of EU Regulation No 1223/2009).
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment concludes safe use at current levels (2015).
Sustainability
Most commercial d-linalool is synthesized from β-pinene, a byproduct of paper pulping. Natural extraction from lavender requires 50kg of flowers per kg oil. Synthetic production has lower carbon footprint but depends on petrochemical feedstocks.
Explore d-Linalool
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References
- Bickers et al. (2003). Safety assessment of linalool. Food and Chemical Toxicology. PMID 12804648
- PubChem Compound Summary for CID 6549 PubChem
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID40883319
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 154.253 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.852 g/cm^3📊 OPERA |
| Boiling Point | 200.966 °C📊 OPERA |
| Melting Point | -11.63 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 77.431 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.463 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 179.667 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.128 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 3.128 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 3.128 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 6.5 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.007 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.102 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Viscosity | 3.878 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 26.886 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 136.976 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 | 4 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 49.504 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 19.625 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.
