Elemol (CAS 639-99-6) — Woody Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Elemol
CAS 639-99-6
What Is Elemol?
Elemol is a naturally occurring sesquiterpene alcohol found in elemi oil and other essential oils. It’s used in perfumery for its fresh, woody, and slightly spicy aroma. This ingredient matters because it adds a clean, uplifting character to fragrances while being less common than similar molecules, offering perfumers a unique tool for creating distinctive scents.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Elemol Smell Like?
Elemol presents a crisp, woody aroma with subtle citrus undertones and a hint of spice. Its profile evolves from an initial fresh, almost camphoraceous top note to a heart of clean woodiness, finally drying down to a soft, slightly sweet base. Imagine walking through a sun-dappled coniferous forest where the air carries whispers of lemon peel and distant incense.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Elemol contributes to the aromatic freshness that complements this fragrance’s citrus and woody structure, adding depth without heaviness.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC(=C)[C@@H]1C[C@@H](CC[C@@]1(C)C=C)C(C)(C)O
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Elemol (C15H26O) is a sesquiterpenoid alcohol with a cadinane skeleton. It occurs naturally in elemi oil, eucalyptus, and some citrus oils. Industrially, it can be synthesized from other sesquiterpenes or isolated through fractional distillation of natural sources. Its three-dimensional structure contributes to its unique olfactory properties.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | Not well documented |
|---|---|
| Density | ≈0.91 g/cm³ (estimated) |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Adds woody freshness |
| Functional Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 3% | Clean scent modifier |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use to bridge citrus top notes with woody base notes in masculine or unisex fragrances.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No IFRA restrictions currently apply to elemol.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM has evaluated elemol as safe for current use levels in fragrances.
Sustainability
Elemol is typically sourced from renewable plant materials, though synthetic production reduces pressure on natural resources. The environmental impact is moderate, with biodegradability depending on the source material and production methods.
Explore Elemol
Browse essential oils and aroma compounds.
Browse on iHerb →Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
References
- PubChem Compound Summary for Elemol CID 92138
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 639-99-6Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 222.37 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4.4🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 279 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.0166 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 98.9 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.0012💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -0.932💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC(=C)C1CC(CCC1(C)C=C)C(C)(C)O🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Heart💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 4.1 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | floralgreensweetwoody• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | alcoholalkene💻 RDKit |
| “Elemol-fractions blend very well with Amyris oil, Guaiacwood oil, Geraniol, Amyl salicylate, Terpineol, etc. rounding off the roughness of chemicals, and sweetening other materials. Overall, however, it is of very little odor value, and it is always a problem to use a fraction of a certain essential oil or a by-product from same. A problem of availability.”📖 Arctander | |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 0.1 ppm📖 van Gemert |
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: DTXSID1052323
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 222.372 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.894 g/cm^3📊 OPERA |
| Boiling Point | 276.786 °C📊 OPERA |
| Melting Point | 53.028 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 103.091 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.512 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 238.511 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4.421 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 4.421 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 4.421 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 8.7 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.001 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.007 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 33.181 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 127.383 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 | 3 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 71.538 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 28.36 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.
