Galaxolide (CAS 1222-05-5) — musk base Note Fragrance Ingredient
Galaxolide
CAS 1222-05-5
What Is Galaxolide?
Galaxolide is a synthetic musk found in laundry detergents, fabric softeners, and prestige perfumes. Its clean, long-lasting scent clings to fabrics and skin. As one of the most widely used musks, it provides the ‘just washed’ freshness in consumer products and adds depth to floral and woody perfume compositions.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESS
What Does Galaxolide Smell Like?
Galaxolide unfolds with an initial burst of crisp, snow-like cleanliness that morphs into a velvety musk reminiscent of sun-warmed skin. Unlike animalic musks, it carries a laundered linen quality with crystalline edges. The dry-down reveals a subtle sweetness akin to cotton candy dissolving into warm amber, leaving a tenacious trail that persists for days on fabric. Its odor profile sits between the sharpness of white musk and the rounded softness of ambrette, making it exceptionally versatile.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Galaxolide provides the enduring musk foundation that balances the citrus top notes, creating the illusion of Mediterranean sea breeze clinging to sun-drenched skin for hours.
Used at 15% concentration to create the signature ‘clean skin’ effect, blending with neroli to simulate the scent of freshly showered skin.
Galaxolide’s crystalline musk amplifies the floral bouquet while preventing the composition from becoming too powdery, adding modern freshness to this classic.
The synthetic musk cuts through the aquatic notes like sunlight on ocean spray, preventing the marine accord from smelling overly synthetic.
Galaxolide tempers the gourmand sweetness with its laundry-fresh character, creating the fragrance’s paradoxical ‘edible clean’ signature.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC1C(C)(C)C2=CC3=C(C=C2C1(C)C)C(C)COC3
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Galaxolide belongs to the polycyclic musk family, specifically an acetylated indane derivative. Its rigid indane backbone with tert-butyl and acetyl substituents creates exceptional stability. Industrially synthesized via Friedel-Crafts acylation of 1,1-dimethylindane, followed by tert-butyl substitution. The planar structure allows strong binding to olfactory receptors despite its high molecular weight (244.37 g/mol). With an XLogP of 5, it exhibits strong lipophilicity, explaining its persistence on skin and fabrics. The absence of chirality simplifies synthesis while maintaining consistent odor properties.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 304.5 °C |
|---|---|
| Melting Point | 78.5 °C |
| Density | 1.06 g/cm³ |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.05 Pa at 21°C |
| Solubility | 0.015 mg/L in water |
| Appearance | Almost white crystals |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 5-15% | Up to 20% | Foundation for modern musk accords |
| Laundry Care | 0.5-2% | Up to 3% | Provides lingering freshness |
| Body Care | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Clean skin effect |
| Candles | 3-8% | Up to 10% | Heat-stable musk |
Classic Accords
+ Hedione = Clean floral
+ Iso E Super = Textured woods
+ Vanillin = Sweet warmth
Tip: Pre-dissolve in DEP or TEC to prevent crystallization in ethanol-based perfumes.
Alternatives & Comparisons
When a softer, more skin-like musk is needed without the laundry freshness. Lower environmental persistence.
For premium applications requiring ultra-diffusive musk with animalic nuances. Higher cost but more natural perception.
In water-based formulations where solubility is critical. Provides similar clean musk effect with better aqueous stability.
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 current IFRA restrictions under Amendment 51 (2023). Approved for all fragrance categories.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safe use at current industry levels (2019). No sensitization concerns at recommended concentrations.
Sustainability
While synthetic production avoids wildlife musk harvesting, Galaxolide’s persistence in wastewater raises ecological concerns. Major producers now implement advanced wastewater treatment. Some European brands phase it out for biodegradable alternatives, though no regulatory bans exist. Synthesis from petrochemical precursors carries typical hydrocarbon footprint.
Explore Galaxolide
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Industry & Science Data
References
- PubChem Compound Summary for CID 61585 PubChem 61585
- IFRA Standards Library (Amendment 51) IFRA 51
- Environmental Science & Technology (2018) on musk persistence DOI:10.1021/acs.est.7b06113
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Ingredient Data Sheet
CAS 1222-05-5Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 258.4 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4.8🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 128 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.0005 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 144 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -0.868💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC1COCC2=CC3=C(C=C12)C(C(C3(C)C)C)(C)C🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Heart💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 8.2 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | cleanmusky• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | etheraromatic💻 RDKit |
| “Sweet and musky odor of good tenacity,”📖 Arctander | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “Due to character of the diluent, this Musk is NOT recommended for flavors.”📖 Arctander |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 0.0024 ppm (n=4)📖 van Gemert |
Regulatory Status
| EU Annex III | Listed (restricted)⚖️ IFRA 51 |
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: DTXSID8027373
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 258.405 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.025 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 321.5 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 15.833 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 145.05 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.499 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 273.208 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 5.75 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 5.917 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 5.917 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 8.18 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole🔬 EPA CTX |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.001 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 12.425 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 31.857 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 106.834 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 9.23 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 80.266 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 31.82 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.
