Dihydro-beta-ionone (CAS 17283-81-7) — Woody Heart to base Note Fragrance Ingredient
Dihydro-beta-ionone
CAS 17283-81-7
What Is Dihydro-beta-ionone?
Dihydro-beta-ionone is a synthetic fragrance ingredient used to add woody, floral, and slightly fruity nuances to perfumes. You’ll encounter it in fine fragrances, body care products, and sometimes in flavored foods. This versatile molecule helps create depth in floral bouquets and adds a smooth, velvety texture to woody accords, making it a perfumer’s secret weapon for sophisticated scent profiles.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Dihydro-beta-ionone Smell Like?
Dihydro-beta-ionone unfolds like a silk curtain – first with a crisp, violet-like floralcy that’s less sharp than regular ionones. Within minutes, it melts into a plush woody-amber heart with whispers of dried fruits and cedar shavings. The dry-down is remarkably persistent, leaving a skin-hugging trail of polished wood and faintly powdery orris-like sophistication. Imagine the last rays of sun warming an antique wooden cabinet that once held dried rose petals.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used here to bridge the powdery iris and cocoa notes with woody base, creating Dior’s signature velvety masculine floral effect.
Provides subtle woody-floral support to the galbanum-green heart, softening the composition’s edges without compromising its crisp character.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC(=O)CCC1=C(C)CCCC1(C)C
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Dihydro-beta-ionone belongs to the ionone family of cyclic terpenoids, specifically a hydrogenated derivative of beta-ionone. Unlike natural ionones found in violets and orris root, this synthetic variant has superior stability. Industrially produced through selective hydrogenation of beta-ionone using palladium catalysts, it lacks the conjugated double bonds of its parent compound, resulting in a smoother odor profile. The molecule’s semi-rigid structure allows it to interact with both floral and woody olfactory receptors.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow liquid |
|---|---|
| Boiling Point | Approx. 250-260°C (estimated) |
| Density | ~0.92 g/cm³ (estimated) |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Woody-floral modifier |
| Body Care | 0.5-1% | Up to 2% | Adds sophistication to shower gels |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use to round off sharp woody notes and add diffusion to heavy florals without increasing sweetness.
Alternatives & Comparisons
For stronger violet character but less stability and more sweetness. The unsaturated parent compound with more pronounced floralcy.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not currently restricted under IFRA standards. General usage guidelines apply.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM evaluation confirms safe use at current industry levels with margin of safety.
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, dihydro-beta-ionone doesn’t rely on plant harvesting. Its production from petrochemical precursors follows standard industrial processes with good yield efficiency. Compared to natural ionones from orris root (which requires 3+ years cultivation), it offers consistent quality without agricultural land use.
Explore Dihydro-beta-ionone
Browse essential oils and aroma compounds.
Browse on iHerb →Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
References
- Brenna et al. (2003). Odor detection thresholds of ionone derivatives. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. PubChem
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID4047200
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 194.318 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.926 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 261.675 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -8.8 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 125 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.453 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 221.844 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4.5 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 4.011 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 4.011 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 6.66 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.003 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 2.737 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 28.666 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 125.679 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 | 3 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 59.918 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 23.753 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.
