Fenchol (CAS 1632-73-1) — Herbaceous Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
Fenchol
CAS 1632-73-1
What Is Fenchol?
Fenchol is a naturally occurring terpene alcohol found in various essential oils like basil, fennel, and pine. It imparts a fresh, herbaceous aroma with subtle woody undertones. Consumers encounter it in natural fragrances, aromatherapy products, and some herbal cosmetics. This ingredient matters because it bridges herbal and woody fragrance categories, offering perfumers a versatile green note that blends well with citrus and floral accords.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Fenchol Smell Like?
Fenchol greets the nose with a crisp, herbaceous burst reminiscent of crushed fennel fronds and fresh basil leaves. The initial green intensity mellows into a pleasantly woody heart with faint camphoraceous undertones. Over time, it reveals a dry, slightly earthy base akin to sun-warmed pine bark. The evolution is linear but nuanced—like walking from a herb garden into a coniferous forest.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Fenchol amplifies the tomato leaf accord, creating a hyper-realistic garden freshness that lasts through the top notes.
Used alongside basil absolute to heighten the aromatic greenery without overpowering the citrus opening.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC1(C)C2CCC(C)(C2)C1O
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Fenchol (C10H18O) is a bicyclic monoterpenoid alcohol. Naturally occurring as both α- and β-fenchol isomers, it’s primarily extracted via steam distillation of fennel seeds or pine needles. Industrially, it can be synthesized from α-pinene through hydration reactions. The stereochemistry significantly impacts odor profile—β-fenchol tends to smell greener while α-fenchol leans woodier.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 201-202 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.948 g/cm³ |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-5% | Up to 10% | Adds herbaceous lift to fougères |
| Functional Fragrance | 0.5-3% | Up to 5% | Green note in household cleaners |
Classic Accords
Tip: Blend with citrus oils to prevent excessive sharpness in top notes.
Alternatives & Comparisons
When a softer, floral-woody character is needed without the sharp herbal punch.
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 as safe for use under current guidelines.
EU Allergen Declaration
Not listed in EU allergen regulations.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safe use at reported levels in fragrances.
Sustainability
Most commercial fenchol is derived from steam-distilled fennel seeds, a crop requiring moderate water inputs but no pesticides. Synthetic production exists but has higher carbon footprint. Biodegradability is excellent due to terpenoid structure.
Explore Fenchol
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References
- PubChem Compound Summary for Fenchol CID 442384
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 1632-73-1Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 154.25 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.5🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 201 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.0356 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Involatility Index | 0.0031💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -1.866💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC1(C2CCC(C2)(C1O)C)C🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Heart💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 2.4 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | camphoraceous• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | alcohol💻 RDKit |
| “Almost insoluble in water, soluble in alcohol, miscible with oils. Powerful and diffusive, Camphor-like, but sweeter and more Citrus-like almost Lime-like odor with more or less of an earthy-dry character, according to the composition and isomer-ratio.”📖 Arctander | |
| Fenchyl alcohol has a camphor-like odor with citrus notes and a bitter, lime-like flavor.📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “The taste is somewhat bitter-Lime-like, camphoraceous and slightly woody-musty. Fenchyl alcohol is also used in flavor compositions such as Strawberry and other berries, Lime and Spice, etc.”📖 Arctander |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 0.0098 ppm (n=3)📖 van Gemert |
Regulatory Status
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2480⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| GRAS Status | Generally Recognized as Safe⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| IOFI Classification | Nature Identical📖 Fenaroli |
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: DTXSID1041970
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 154.253 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.975 g/cm^3📊 OPERA |
| Boiling Point | 201.5 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 37.5 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 70.454 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.502 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 155.364 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.898 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 2.898 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 2.898 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 6.57 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.015 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.036 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 36.382 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 34.262 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 122.377 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 | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 45.855 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 18.178 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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