Diethyl sulfide (CAS 352-93-2) — Musky Top to middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Diethyl sulfide
CAS 352-93-2
What Is Diethyl sulfide?
Diethyl sulfide is a synthetic sulfur compound occasionally used in perfumery. It’s most recognizable as part of the ‘garlic’ or ‘onion’ aroma profile in certain savory flavors. In fragrance, it appears in trace amounts to add animalic or truffle-like nuances. This ingredient matters because it provides a bridge between gourmand and animalic accords, allowing perfumers to create unexpected depth in compositions that play with savory elements.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does Diethyl sulfide Smell Like?
Diethyl sulfide announces itself with a pungent, garlicky burst that quickly evolves into a more complex animalic character reminiscent of truffles and wet fur. The initial sulfurous sharpness mellows into a warm, savory depth that lingers close to the skin. In dilution, it takes on an almost mushroom-like earthiness with metallic undertones. The dry-down reveals subtle leathery facets that blend surprisingly well with woody bases, though the sulfurous character never fully disappears.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used here to recreate the authentic truffle accord, diethyl sulfide provides the crucial sulfurous depth that makes this gourmand fragrance smell uncannily like freshly dug black truffles.
The sulfide contributes to the controversial ‘bodily fluids’ accord, adding a metallic, slightly bloody dimension to the composition’s challenging realism.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCSCC
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Diethyl sulfide belongs to the class of dialkyl sulfides, characterized by two ethyl groups bonded to a sulfur atom. Industrially produced through the reaction of ethyl bromide with sodium sulfide, this volatile compound is rarely found in nature. Its simple structure makes it highly reactive, particularly in oxidation reactions. The sulfur atom’s lone electron pairs contribute to both its strong odor and chemical reactivity.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 92-93 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.837 g/cm³ |
| Flash Point | -9 °C |
| Refractive Index | 1.442 |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.01-0.1% | Up to 0.5% | Used sparingly for animalic effects |
| Functional Fragrance | 0.001-0.01% | Up to 0.05% | Savory note modifier |
Classic Accords
Tip: Always pre-dilute to 1% or lower before incorporating into blends due to overwhelming strength.
Alternatives & Comparisons
More volatile and sharper, useful when a brighter sulfur note is needed. Found naturally in some marine organisms.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No specific IFRA restrictions, but general sulfide guidelines apply.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
Limited safety data available. Recommended for professional use only.
Sustainability
As a synthetic compound, diethyl sulfide’s environmental impact comes primarily from its petroleum-derived production process. Being used in extremely small quantities minimizes its ecological footprint. No known natural alternatives exist for its specific odor profile.
Explore Diethyl sulfide
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References
- Arctander, S. (1969). Perfume and Flavor Chemicals. Montclair, NJ.
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 352-93-2Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 90.19 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 1.9🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 92.1 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 60.2 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | -6.7 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 6.832💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -1.901💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CCSCC🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Top💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very fast💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 0.5 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | garlicsulfurous• leffingwell |
| Diethyl sulfide has a garlic/ethereal odor.📖 Fenaroli | |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 0.0171 ppm (n=13)📖 van Gemert |
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: DTXSID5027146
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 90.18 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.838 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 91.95 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -103.772 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | -8.333 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.44 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 108.532 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 1.946 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 2.016 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 2.016 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 3.33 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.041 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0.002 atm-m3/mole🔬 EPA CTX |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 58.734 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 0.547 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 24.944 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 120.41 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 0 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 | 28.577 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 11.329 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.
