Di-isodecyl adipate (CAS 27178-16-1) — Woody Base Note Fragrance Ingredient

Woody · Citrus

Di-isodecyl adipate

CAS 27178-16-1

Origin
synthetic
Note
Base
IFRA
Generally safe
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is Di-isodecyl adipate?

Di-isodecyl adipate is a synthetic ester commonly used as a plasticizer in flexible PVC products like vinyl flooring and medical tubing. It provides durability without strong odors. While not a traditional fragrance ingredient, its low volatility and skin-friendly properties make it useful in long-wearing cosmetic formulations where it helps other scent molecules last longer.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
Non-irritating in finished products
Not classified as hazardous
CAS
27178-16-1
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Woody · Citrus
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Di-isodecyl adipate Smell Like?

Di-isodecyl adipate is nearly odorless when pure, with just a faint waxy character reminiscent of unscented candle wax or new vinyl upholstery. Its primary function is as a carrier rather than an olfactive contributor, though some batches may have subtle clean plastic notes akin to a brand-new shower curtain.

Scent Profile
Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

Diisodecyl hexanedioate

SMILES: C*.C*.CCCCCCCCCOC(=O)CCCCC(=O)OCCCCCCCCC |lp:13:2,15:2,21:2,22:2,m:1:23.24.25.26.27.28.29.30,3:12.11.10.9.8.7.6.5|

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

Diester formed from adipic acid and isodecyl alcohol. Belongs to the family of adipate esters valued for their low migration rates and excellent compatibility with polymers. Synthesized via esterification under acidic conditions with typical industrial purity >99%. Lacks chirality due to symmetrical structure.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling Point>200 °C
Flash Point>150 °C
Density~0.92 g/cm³

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Base
Volatility
Very low
Blending
Functional
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Cosmetics1-5%Up to 10%Plasticizer for nail polish
Fragrance Fixative0.5-2%Up to 3%Extends longevity

Classic Accords

Tip: Use to modify viscosity and reduce volatility of top notes in functional fragrances.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Diethylhexyl adipate CAS 103-23-1

Lower molecular weight alternative with similar plasticizing properties but slightly higher odor potential.

2
Acetyl tributyl citrate CAS 77-90-7

Bio-based plasticizer option for cleaner formulations with comparable technical performance.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.

IFRA Status

Not restricted by IFRA – no known fragrance-specific limitations.

RIFM Assessment

Not currently assessed by RIFM due to non-fragrance primary use.

Sustainability

Petroleum-derived but increasingly produced using recycled adipic acid. Biodegradation studies show moderate environmental persistence. Preferred over phthalates in eco-conscious formulations despite higher cost.

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References

  1. PubChem Compound Summary for Di-isodecyl adipate PubChem CID
  2. Plasticizers Market Analysis Report 2023 Industry Data

Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.

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Ingredient Data Sheet

CAS 27178-16-1

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight426.7 g/mol🔬 PubChem
LogP (Octanol-Water)9🔬 PubChem
log Kp (skin permeability)1.087💻 Calculated
SMILESCC(C)CCCCCCCOC(=O)CCCCC(=O)OCCCCCCCC(C)C🔬 PubChem

Odor & Flavor

Functional Groupsesterether💻 RDKit
Data Sources & Attribution
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: DTXSID1027924

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight 426.7 g/mol🔬 PubChem

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 8.302 dimensionless💻 Computed

Molecular Descriptors

Topological Polar Surface Area 52.6 Ų💻 Computed
H-Bond Donors 0 count💻 Computed
H-Bond Acceptors 4 count💻 Computed
Rotatable Bonds 21 count💻 Computed
Aromatic Rings 0 count💻 Computed
Molar Refractivity 125.47 cm^3/mol💻 Computed

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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