Dodecanal (Lauraldehyde) (CAS 112-54-9) — Waxy Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
Dodecanal (Lauraldehyde)
CAS 112-54-9
What Is Dodecanal (Lauraldehyde)?
Dodecanal, also known as lauraldehyde, is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with a clean, waxy aroma. It’s commonly found in soaps, detergents, and citrus-based perfumes where it adds a fresh, aldehydic lift. This molecule matters because it bridges citrus and floral notes while providing excellent diffusion – a workhorse ingredient that helps create sparkling top notes in many modern fragrances.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Dodecanal (Lauraldehyde) Smell Like?
Dodecanal greets the nose with a bright, citrus-tinged waxy character reminiscent of candle wax and lemon peel. As it evolves, the scent reveals soapy floral undertones akin to freshly laundered linen with a hint of magnolia. The dry-down is surprisingly persistent for an aldehyde, leaving a clean, slightly metallic sheen that blends seamlessly with woody base notes. Its odor profile sits midway between the crispness of decanal and the floralcy of tetradecanal.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used in modern reformulations to complement the famous aldehyde bouquet, adding waxy depth to the sparkling top notes while maintaining the perfume’s signature cleanliness.
Provides the crisp, laundry-fresh character that defines this fragrance, blending with violet and citrus notes to create its iconic ‘just washed’ effect.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCCCCCCCCCCC=O
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Dodecanal is a straight-chain 12-carbon aldehyde synthesized through the oxidation of dodecanol or hydroformylation of undecene. As a saturated aliphatic aldehyde, it’s more stable than shorter-chain aldehydes but still requires careful handling to prevent oxidation. The molecule lacks chirality but exhibits characteristic aldehyde reactivity. Industrial production typically involves rhodium-catalyzed processes to achieve high yields of the linear isomer preferred in perfumery.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 185-186 °C |
|---|---|
| Flash Point | 82 °C |
| Density | 0.83 g/cm³ |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Aldehyde modifier |
| Functional Fragrance | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Soapy-clean effects |
Classic Accords
Tip: Stabilize in ethanol solutions to prevent oxidation during storage.
Alternatives & Comparisons
For brighter citrus effects with higher volatility but less waxy character.
When more floral, less citrusy aldehydic notes are desired with better persistence.
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 IFRA restrictions – listed on 49th Amendment as unrestricted aliphatic aldehyde.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment complete – no significant safety concerns at typical use levels.
Sustainability
Synthesized from petrochemical feedstocks but requires minimal energy input compared to complex fragrance molecules. No known ecological toxicity at production scale. Not currently available from renewable sources.
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References
- Bauer et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH.
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID6021589
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 184.323 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.831 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 226.925 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 24.694 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 105.15 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.43 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 223.935 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4.956 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 4.956 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 4.956 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 6.1 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.01 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 2.427 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 27.574 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 146.858 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 | 10 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 57.83 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 22.926 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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