Fenchone (CAS 1195-79-5) — Woody Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Fenchone
CAS 1195-79-5
What Is Fenchone?
Fenchone is a naturally occurring ketone found in fennel oil and some absinthes. It has a fresh, camphoraceous aroma with earthy undertones. Consumers may encounter it in herbal liqueurs, Mediterranean cuisine, and some masculine fragrances. This molecule contributes a distinctive aromatic quality that bridges herbal and woody accords, making it valuable for creating depth in perfumery.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Fenchone Smell Like?
Fenchone opens with a crisp, cooling camphoraceous burst reminiscent of crushed fennel seeds and mountain air. The heart reveals subtle earthy-pine nuances with a faintly sweet undertone. Dry-down brings a dry woody character that lingers like the memory of anise on a wooden mortar. Its aroma profile sits between eucalyptus and cedar – medicinal yet inviting, with a cleanliness that avoids being harsh.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used to enhance the aromatic fougère structure, providing a crisp herbal contrast to the citrus top notes and oakmoss base.
Fenchone contributes to the rugged, herbal-pine character that defines this unconventional masculine fragrance.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC1(C)C2CCC(C)(C2)C1=O
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Fenchone is a bicyclic monoterpenoid ketone with the chemical formula C10H16O. It exists as two enantiomers: (+)-fenchone (from fennel) and (-)-fenchone (from thuja oil). Industrially produced via oxidation of fenchyl alcohol or isolation from essential oils. The ketone group at position 2 of the bornane skeleton is responsible for its distinctive camphoraceous odor.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 193-194 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.948 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.462 |
| Flash Point | 64 °C |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Adds herbal freshness |
| Functional Products | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Masking agent |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use fenchone to bridge citrus top notes with woody bases in fougère compositions.
Alternatives & Comparisons
When a stronger, more medicinal camphoraceous note is needed without the earthy undertones of fenchone.
For similar woody-herbal character but with less sharpness and more balsamic warmth.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not restricted under current IFRA standards.
EU Allergen Declaration
Not listed in EU allergen regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment concluded safe use at current levels in fragrances.
Sustainability
Most commercial fenchone is synthesized from pinene derivatives, making it more sustainable than extraction from natural sources. The synthetic route avoids agricultural land use and seasonal variability of fennel crops.
Explore Fenchone
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 Fenchone CID 14525
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID9025324
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 152.237 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.92 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 193 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 5.067 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 52 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.485 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 154.875 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.52 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 3.078 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 3.078 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 4.85 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.014 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.789 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 5.946 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 32.215 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 116.254 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 | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 44.395 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 17.6 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.
