Damascone Beta (CAS 23726-93-4) — Floral Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
Damascone Beta
CAS 23726-93-4
What Is Damascone Beta?
Damascone Beta is a synthetic fragrance molecule that creates rich, fruity-rosy aromas. You’ll find it in luxury perfumes, body care products, and some gourmand flavors. This ingredient matters because it adds depth and longevity to floral compositions, mimicking the natural scent of roses but with greater stability and intensity than natural extracts.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does Damascone Beta Smell Like?
Damascone Beta unfolds with an intense burst of stewed apple and plum skin, evolving into a velvety rose jam heart. The dry-down reveals honeyed tobacco nuances with a whisper of black tea tannins. Unlike fresh rose notes, it carries a decadent, almost wine-like richness that lingers on skin for hours, making it ideal for oriental and chypre compositions.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used as a fruity-rosy bridge between citrus top notes and woody base, adding sophistication to this masculine classic.
Modernizes the floral bouquet with juicy damascone facets that complement the reformulated aldehydic structure.
Amplifies the dark rose core with damascone’s jammy depth, contrasting with patchouli and incense.
Provides the fruity undertone to the exotic floral accord, enhancing the perfume’s gourmand sensuality.
Damascone Beta tempers the spice notes with rosy sweetness, creating a gender-fluid woody rose.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: C\C=C\C(=O)C1=C(C)C=CCC1(C)C
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Damascone Beta belongs to the ionone/damascone family of cyclic terpenoid ketones. While α-damascone occurs naturally in rose oil, the β isomer is primarily synthetic. Industrial production typically involves acid-catalyzed cyclization of pseudoionone derivatives. The molecule’s potency stems from its conjugated double bond system and methyl group positioning, which create exceptional olfactory persistence. Chirality significantly impacts scent profile – the (R)-enantiomer exhibits stronger fruity character than the (S)-form.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | ~250 °C (estimated) |
|---|---|
| Density | ~0.93 g/cm³ (estimated) |
| Vapor Pressure | Low (persistent) |
| Solubility | Soluble in ethanol, oils; insoluble in water |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Powerful modifier |
| Body Care | 0.01-0.1% | Up to 0.2% | Sensitization concerns |
| Candles | 0.2-0.8% | Up to 1.5% | Heat stability |
| Flavor | 1-5 ppm | Up to 10 ppm | Fruity applications |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use damascone beta to ‘lift’ heavy base notes – 0.2% can make a 10% sandalwood accord smell twice as potent.
Alternatives & Comparisons
More green/apple-like, less tenacious. Preferred for fresh floral applications where beta might overwhelm.
Cost-effective rose ketone with similar profile but less fruity depth. Useful for budget formulations.
More diffusive top note character, better for citrus-floral transitions.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. IFRA, REACH, EU Cosmetics Regulation standards update periodically. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating. Not legal or regulatory advice.
IFRA Status
IFRA 49th Amendment restricts to 0.02% in leave-on products (Category 1) due to sensitization potential. No restrictions in rinse-off.
EU Allergen Declaration
Must be declared when present ≥0.001% in leave-on, ≥0.01% in rinse-off (Annex III of EU Cosmetics Regulation).
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM evaluation confirms safe use at IFRA limits. Not genotoxic or carcinogenic in available studies.
Sustainability
As a synthetic molecule, damascone beta avoids agricultural impacts of natural rose cultivation. Production typically uses petrochemical feedstocks, though some manufacturers are developing bio-based routes via fermentation. The material’s extreme potency (used at ppm levels) makes it environmentally favorable compared to natural extracts requiring large cultivation areas.
Explore Damascone Beta
Browse essential oils and aroma compounds.
Browse on iHerb →Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
References
- Bickers et al. (2003). Safety assessment of damascones. Food and Chemical Toxicology. PMID 14505838
- Sell C. (2006). The Chemistry of Fragrances. RSC Publishing.
- IFRA Standards Library IFRA 49th Amendment
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID90885242
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 190.286 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.946 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 237 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 1.8 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 107.25 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.491 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 205.31 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.4 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 3.707 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 3.707 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 6.36 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.001 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.023 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Surface Tension | 30.381 dyn/cm📊 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 | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 59.428 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 23.559 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.
