Dihydromyrcene (CAS 2436-90-0) — Citrus Top Note Fragrance Ingredient

ByThe Good Scents
Citrus · Green

Dihydromyrcene

CAS 2436-90-0

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

What Is Dihydromyrcene?

Dihydromyrcene is a synthetic fragrance ingredient commonly used in modern perfumery. It’s found in many citrusy and fresh fragrances, often contributing to the initial sparkle of colognes and body sprays. This molecule matters because it helps create affordable, long-lasting citrus notes that don’t fade quickly like natural citrus oils.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
✓ No major safety concerns
✓ Not classified as an allergen
CAS
2436-90-0
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Citrus · Green
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Dihydromyrcene Smell Like?

Dihydromyrcene presents a crisp, refreshing citrus character with pronounced lemon-lime nuances. Unlike natural citrus oils, it lacks the juicy pulpiness, instead offering a cleaner, more chemical citrus impression that evolves into a faintly herbal, slightly woody dry-down. The scent maintains remarkable tenacity for a citrus note, persisting where natural citrus oils would vanish.

Scent Profile
Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

Dihydromyrcene

SMILES: CC(CCC=C(C)C)C=C

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

Dihydromyrcene is a monoterpene hydrocarbon derived from myrcene through hydrogenation. As a synthetic material, it’s produced via catalytic hydrogenation of β-myrcene, typically using palladium or nickel catalysts. The resulting molecule lacks the conjugated double bonds of myrcene, giving it greater oxidative stability while maintaining similar volatility.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling PointNot available
DensityNot available

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Top
Volatility
Medium (1-2 hours)
Blending
Good
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance2-5%Up to 10%Citrus note extender
Functional Fragrances1-3%Up to 5%Freshness booster

Classic Accords

Tip: Use to extend citrus top notes in formulations where natural citrus oils would evaporate too quickly.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Myrcene CAS 123-35-3

The natural precursor with more pronounced herbal character but less stability.

2
Limonene CAS 138-86-3

For a more authentic citrus peel character with similar volatility.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

Not restricted by IFRA standards.

RIFM Assessment

Considered safe for current fragrance use levels by RIFM.

Sustainability

As a synthetic material, dihydromyrcene avoids the agricultural impacts of natural citrus production. Its production from myrcene, which can be derived from renewable turpentine sources, offers potential for sustainable sourcing when using bio-based feedstocks.

Explore Dihydromyrcene

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References

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

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    Ingredient Data Sheet

    CAS 2436-90-0

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight138.25 g/mol🔬 PubChem
    LogP (Octanol-Water)4.2🔬 PubChem
    Boiling Point165 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
    Vapor Pressure2.57 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA
    Flash Point37 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
    Involatility Index0.2356💻 Calculated
    log Kp (skin permeability)-0.561💻 Calculated
    SMILESCC(CCC=C(C)C)C=C🔬 PubChem

    Volatility & Performance

    Fragrance NoteTop💻 Calculated
    Volatility ClassModerate💻 Calculated
    Persistence Score0.5 / 5💻 Calculated

    Odor & Flavor

    Functional Groupsalkene💻 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: DTXSID8029234

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight 138.254 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
    Density 0.762 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX
    Boiling Point 163.248 °C📊 OPERA
    Melting Point -91.531 °C📊 OPERA
    Flash Point 40.583 °C🔬 EPA CTX
    Refractive Index 1.439 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
    Molar Volume 182.489 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

    Partition & Solubility

    LogP (Octanol-Water) 5.831 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX
    LogD (pH 5.5) 4.643 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogD (pH 7.4) 4.643 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 4.52 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    Water Solubility 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX
    Henry's Law Constant 0.041 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

    Transport Properties

    Vapor Pressure 3.209 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX
    Viscosity 0.574 cP📊 OPERA
    Surface Tension 22.574 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
    Thermal Conductivity 123.97 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA

    Molecular Descriptors

    Topological Polar Surface Area 0 Ų💻 Computed
    H-Bond Donors 0 count💻 Computed
    H-Bond Acceptors 0 count💻 Computed
    Rotatable Bonds 4 count💻 Computed
    Aromatic Rings 0 count💻 Computed
    Molar Refractivity 47.962 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
    Polarizability 19.014 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.

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