Dimethylbenzyl Carbinol (CAS 617-94-7) — Floral Heart Note Fragrance Ingredient
Dimethylbenzyl Carbinol
CAS 617-94-7
What Is Dimethylbenzyl Carbinol?
Dimethylbenzyl carbinol is a synthetic aroma chemical with a fresh, floral scent reminiscent of lilac and lily of the valley. It’s commonly used in soaps, detergents, and perfumes to add a clean, slightly sweet floral character. This versatile ingredient helps create the illusion of natural floral bouquets while providing excellent stability in various product formulations.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Dimethylbenzyl Carbinol Smell Like?
Dimethylbenzyl carbinol opens with a crisp, green floralcy reminiscent of crushed lily stems, quickly blooming into a sweet lilac-like heart with subtle citrus undertones. The dry-down reveals a clean, slightly powdery muskiness that lingers close to the skin. Its character is both delicate and tenacious – like freshly laundered linen infused with a vase of spring flowers. The scent profile maintains remarkable clarity throughout evaporation, never becoming cloying or overly sweet.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used as a key floral modifier to create the crisp, clean linen accord that defines this classic fragrance. Provides the illusion of fresh laundry with floral sophistication.
Helps bridge the carnation and jasmine notes with its versatile floral character, adding lift to the spicy-floral heart.
Contributes to the chypre’s floral bouquet with its clean, slightly green floralcy that balances the oakmoss base.
Provides subtle floral freshness in this aromatic tonic, complementing the citrus and herbal notes without overwhelming.
Used in trace amounts to enhance the floral aspects of the lavender and reinforce the aquatic freshness.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC(C)(O)C1=CC=CC=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Dimethylbenzyl carbinol (DMBC) is a tertiary alcohol with the chemical formula C10H14O. While it can theoretically be derived from natural sources, commercial production is exclusively synthetic, typically through the Grignard reaction between benzylmagnesium chloride and acetone. The molecule’s stability comes from its tertiary alcohol structure, making it resistant to oxidation compared to primary alcohols. Its floral character stems from the aromatic benzyl group combined with the oxygen-bearing carbon that creates hydrogen bonding potential with olfactory receptors.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow liquid |
|---|---|
| Boiling Point | 215-217 °C |
| Density | 0.98 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.512-1.517 |
| Solubility | Slightly soluble in water, miscible with alcohol and oils |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Floral bouquet builder |
| Soap/Detergent | 0.5-2% | Up to 3% | Provides stable floral character |
| Shampoo | 0.2-1% | Up to 1.5% | Clean floral impression |
| Household | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Freshness enhancer |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with citrus top notes to prevent the floral character from becoming too heavy or powdery.
Alternatives & Comparisons
For a simpler, less sweet floral character with more focus on the benzyl aspect.
When a rosier, honeyed floral note is desired instead of the lily-like quality.
For a more intense, diffusive floral aldehyde character when regulations allow.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. IFRA, REACH, EU Cosmetics Regulation standards update periodically. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating. Not legal or regulatory advice.
IFRA Status
No restrictions under current IFRA standards (as of 49th Amendment).
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
Reviewed by RIFM with no significant safety concerns at typical usage levels.
Sustainability
As a purely synthetic material, dimethylbenzyl carbinol’s environmental impact comes primarily from its petroleum-derived feedstocks. However, its production requires relatively simple chemistry with good atom economy. The material’s stability and potency mean it’s used at low levels, reducing overall environmental load compared to less potent alternatives. Some manufacturers are exploring bio-based routes using fermentation-derived precursors.
Explore Dimethylbenzyl Carbinol
Browse essential oils and aroma compounds.
Browse on iHerb →Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
References
- Arctander, S. (1969). Perfume and Flavor Chemicals. Allured Publishing.
- Burdock, G.A. (2010). Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. CRC Press.
- IFRA Standards Library. 49th Amendment. Link
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 617-94-7Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 136.19 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 1.8🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 202 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.52 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 87.2 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.048💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -2.253💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC(C)(C1=CC=CC=C1)O🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Top💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 0.5 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | fattyfloralgreenherbalwoody• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | alcoholaromatic💻 RDKit |
| “H,,C—f4H Rosy-woody odor, somewhat fattier than that of Phenylethyl alcohol, and with a pleas- ant green-woody undertone.”📖 Arctander | |
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: DTXSID3027247
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 136.194 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.976 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 199.683 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 33.85 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 87.083 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.518 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 137.12 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.11 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 2.055 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 2.11 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 6.06 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.052 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.195 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 3.793 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 33.829 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 142.493 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 20.23 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 41.542 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 16.469 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.
![1-Oxaspiro[4.5]deca-3,6-diene, 6-ethyl-2,10,10-trimethyl- (CAS 79893-63-3) — Woody Unknown Note Fragrance Ingredient](https://thegoodscents.company/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/1-oxaspiro-4-5-deca-3-6-diene-6-ethyl-2-10-10-trimethyl-1-1-768x439.webp)
