Dodecanal dimethyl acetal (CAS 14620-52-1) — Citrus Top to middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Dodecanal dimethyl acetal
CAS 14620-52-1
What Is Dodecanal dimethyl acetal?
Dodecanal dimethyl acetal is a synthetic fragrance ingredient primarily used in fine perfumery. It contributes fresh, citrusy, and slightly floral nuances to fragrances. You’ll encounter it in high-end colognes and personal care products where a clean, uplifting scent is desired. This material matters because it provides stability and longevity to citrus top notes that would otherwise evaporate quickly. It helps maintain the bright opening impression of a fragrance for hours rather than minutes.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Dodecanal dimethyl acetal Smell Like?
Dodecanal dimethyl acetal opens with a crisp, aldehydic burst reminiscent of lemon zest and freshly cut grass. The initial sharpness quickly mellows into a smooth, waxy floralcy akin to orange blossoms floating in soapy water. As it dries down, subtle marine nuances emerge – imagine sea air carrying the scent of coastal flowers. The final stages reveal a clean, almost ozonic character with faint woody undertones. Throughout its evolution, it maintains an exceptional clarity that makes it invaluable for modern citrus-aquatic compositions.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used here to extend the citrus top notes and add a modern marine freshness that complements the classic citrus-aromatic structure.
Provides the crisp, clean opening that defines this fragrance, blending with Sicilian lemon to create its signature bright aquatic effect.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCCCCCCCCCCC(OC)OC
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Dodecanal dimethyl acetal belongs to the acetal class of compounds, formed by the reaction of dodecanal with methanol. Acetals are particularly valuable in perfumery for their stability compared to their parent aldehydes. The molecule features a twelve-carbon chain with two methoxy groups attached to the central carbon, creating a structure that releases the aldehyde character slowly over time. This controlled release mechanism makes it ideal for sustaining top notes in fragrance compositions.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow liquid |
|---|---|
| Odor Threshold | Low (parts per billion range) |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Used to extend citrus top notes |
| Functional Products | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Adds freshness to detergents |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with citrus oils to create long-lasting bright openings that resist oxidation.
Alternatives & Comparisons
For a more direct aldehyde effect without the gradual release characteristic of the acetal.
When a more pronounced lemon character is desired with similar stability benefits.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not currently restricted by IFRA. No usage limits specified.
RIFM Assessment
No specific RIFM assessment found. Generally recognized as safe at current usage levels.
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, dodecanal dimethyl acetal offers consistent quality without agricultural variability. Production typically involves petrochemical feedstocks, though bio-based routes may become viable. Its efficiency in extending fragrance longevity reduces the need for frequent reapplication, potentially lowering overall product consumption.
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References
- Bauer, K. et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH.
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 14620-52-1Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 230.39 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 5.7🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 273 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.0098 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 72.7 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.0007💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -0.058💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CCCCCCCCCCCC(OC)OC🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Heart💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 5.3 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | applecitrusfattyfreshgreenmelon• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | ether💻 RDKit |
| “Very faint, fresh-green and slightly oily odor Prod.”📖 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: DTXSID8065797
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 230.392 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.833 g/cm^3📊 OPERA |
| Boiling Point | 266.57 °C📊 OPERA |
| Melting Point | -32.893 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 86.933 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.429 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 272.731 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 5.32 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 5.32 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 5.32 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 7.26 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.009 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Viscosity | 3.226 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 26.927 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 140.802 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 18.46 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 12 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 70.358 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 27.892 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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