Decanal (CAS 112-31-2) — Citrus Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
Decanal
CAS 112-31-2
What Is Decanal?
Decanal is a natural aldehyde found in citrus peels and many essential oils. You’ll encounter its fresh, waxy aroma in citrus-scented cleaning products and perfumes. This molecule matters because it adds realistic citrus top notes while also contributing to the creamy, fatty undertones that make fragrances smell luxurious and complex.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFE
What Does Decanal Smell Like?
Decanal bursts with the crisp brightness of freshly peeled oranges, but quickly reveals deeper dimensions – imagine orange rind rubbed between fingers, releasing both citrusy top notes and a waxy, slightly fatty character reminiscent of candle wax. As it dries down, the scent evolves into a clean, soapy impression with whispers of coriander and bay leaf. The overall effect is like sunlight hitting a bowl of citrus fruits on a wooden table, where fruity freshness meets subtle woody warmth.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used for its bright citrus opening that gradually transitions into herbal notes, creating the perfume’s signature fresh yet sophisticated character.
Decanal provides the photorealistic orange peel effect that makes this fragrance smell like freshly squeezed citrus.
Contributes to the clean citrus top notes that define this iconic unisex fragrance’s refreshing appeal.
Decanal enhances the classic cologne’s citrus bouquet while adding subtle waxy depth to balance the bright opening.
Works with lemon and apple notes to create the fragrance’s sparkling Mediterranean citrus accord.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCCCCCCCCC=O
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Decanal is a straight-chain aliphatic aldehyde with ten carbon atoms (C10H20O). It occurs naturally in citrus oils, coriander, and various other essential oils. Industrially, it’s typically produced through the oxidation of 1-decanol or by hydroformylation of 1-nonene. The molecule lacks chirality but exhibits geometric isomerism – the trans form being more common in nature. Its relatively simple structure makes it volatile enough for top notes while the long carbon chain provides some persistence and waxiness.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 208-210 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.83 g/cm³ |
| Flash Point | 71 °C |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.1 mmHg at 20°C |
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow liquid |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Citrus top note component |
| Functional Fragrance | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Clean citrus effects |
| Flavor | 10-50 ppm | Up to 100 ppm | Citrus flavor enhancer |
Classic Accords
+ Aldehyde C-12 + Orange Oil = Sparkling Citrus
+ Coriander + Lavender = Herbal Freshness
Tip: Use with citrus oils to extend their freshness and add waxy depth.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Shorter carbon chain gives brighter, more fleeting citrus character for lighter formulations.
More intense lemon character but lacks Decanal’s waxy depth and persistence.
Same molecule – sometimes labeled differently in fragrance specifications.
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
No IFRA restrictions. Listed as safe for use in all categories.
EU Allergen Declaration
Not listed as an EU allergen.
GHS Classification
H319 Eye irritation
RIFM Assessment
RIFM evaluation confirms safe use at current levels in fragrance applications.
Sustainability
Decanal can be sourced naturally from citrus byproducts or produced synthetically with high efficiency. The synthetic route typically has lower environmental impact than distillation from natural sources. Both production methods generate minimal waste when properly managed.
Explore Decanal
Browse essential oils and aroma compounds.
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Industry & Science Data
References
- Bauer, K. et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH. ISBN 9783527616639
- Arctander, S. (1969). Perfume and Flavor Chemicals. Allured Publishing. OCLC 5009195
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Ingredient Data Sheet
CAS 112-31-2Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 156.26 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.8🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 206.7 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.1 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 85 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.0086💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -0.955💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CCCCCCCCCC=O🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Heart💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 1.9 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | orangesweetwaxy• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | aldehyde💻 RDKit |
| “Penetrating and very powerful, sweet-waxy, Orange-peel-like odor. In extreme dilution refreshing, Citrus-peel-like.”📖 Arctander | |
| Decanal has a penetrating, sweet, waxy, floral, citrus, pronounced fatty odor that develops a floral character on dilution and fatty, citrus-like taste.📖 Fenaroli | |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 0.1026 ppm (n=32)📖 van Gemert |
Regulatory Status
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2362⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| GRAS Status | Generally Recognized as Safe⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| IOFI Classification | Nature Identical📖 Fenaroli |
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: DTXSID4021553
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 156.269 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.829 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 210.537 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -2.527 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 85.571 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.422 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 190.922 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.92 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 3.92 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 3.92 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 5.08 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0.002 atm-m3/mole🔬 EPA CTX |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.095 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 1.912 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 27.923 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 144.928 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 | 8 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 48.564 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 19.252 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.
