Decanoic acid (CAS 334-48-5) — Woody Base Note Fragrance Ingredient
Decanoic acid
CAS 334-48-5
What Is Decanoic acid?
Decanoic acid is a fatty acid found naturally in coconut oil and palm kernel oil, though most fragrance applications use synthetic versions. You’ll encounter it as a subtle component in soaps, detergents, and some citrus-forward perfumes. This ingredient matters because it provides a waxy, slightly fatty character that helps round out sharp citrus notes and adds depth to fresh compositions without overwhelming them.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Decanoic acid Smell Like?
Decanoic acid presents a complex olfactory profile – initially waxy and faintly cheesy like aged parmesan rind, softening into a clean coconut milk richness. The top note carries a slight vinegar-like sharpness that quickly dissipates, leaving a smooth fatty base reminiscent of candle wax. In dilution, it behaves like an olfactory mortar, binding citrus volatiles while adding subtle lactonic undertones. The dry-down is surprisingly clean for a fatty acid, leaving just a whisper of warm coconut husk.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used as a subtle modifier to tame the sharpness of citrus top notes while adding depth to the classic cologne structure. Provides a barely perceptible waxy foundation.
Contributes to the tropical coconut milk accord, blending with synthetic coconut materials to create a more naturalistic tropical effect.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCCCCCCCCC(O)=O
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Decanoic acid (C10:0) is a saturated medium-chain fatty acid belonging to the carboxylic acid class. While naturally occurring in tropical oils, fragrance applications typically use synthetic versions produced through the oxidation of decanol or hydrolysis of decanoate esters. The molecule lacks chirality due to its simple linear structure. Industrial synthesis often involves the Kolbe electrolysis of hexanoic acid or oxidation of decanal.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 268-270 °C |
|---|---|
| Melting Point | 31.6 °C |
| Density | 0.893 g/cm³ |
| Flash Point | >110 °C |
| Solubility | Slightly in water, soluble in organic solvents |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.1-1% | Up to 3% | Used as modifier in citrus and tropical accords |
| Soaps/Detergents | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Adds fatty character to cleaning products |
| Candles | 1-3% | Up to 8% | Contributes to wax-like olfactory profile |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use at 0.5% or below to avoid cheese-like off-notes in fine fragrance applications.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Shorter chain length provides sharper, more goat-like character for formulations needing stronger fatty impact.
Longer C12 chain offers cleaner waxy profile with less cheese nuance for premium applications.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No restrictions under IFRA standards.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM evaluation confirms safe use at current industry levels with no sensitization concerns.
Sustainability
Synthetic production avoids agricultural impacts associated with coconut and palm oil derivatives. The petrochemical synthesis route raises carbon footprint concerns, though newer bio-based production methods using fermented sugars are emerging. As a medium-chain fatty acid, it’s readily biodegradable in environmental conditions.
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References
- PubChem Compound Summary for Decanoic acid CID 2969
- Burdock, G.A. (2010). Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. CRC Press.
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 334-48-5Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 172.26 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4.1🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 267.8 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 1 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 112.8 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.0821💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -0.84💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CCCCCCCCCC(=O)O🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Heart💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 0.5 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | fattywaxy• leffingwell |
| “Rather unpleasant, sour-fatty, "rancid" odor.”📖 Arctander | |
| Fatty, unpleasant, rancid odor.📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “Used in flavor compositions, mainly in imitation Butter, Cheese, Coconut, Fruit, Liqueur, Rum, Whisky, etc.”📖 Arctander |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 5.8153 ppm (n=5)📖 van Gemert |
Regulatory Status
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2364⚖️ 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: DTXSID9021554
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 172.268 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.887 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 268.999 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 31.345 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 132.46 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.443 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 188.229 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4.09 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 3.389 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 1.607 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 7.71 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole🔬 EPA CTX |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 7.009 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 31.057 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 149.186 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 37.3 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 8 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 49.942 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 19.799 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.
