Gamma-Dodecalactone (CAS 2305-05-07) — Sweet Heart Note Fragrance Ingredient
Gamma-Dodecalactone
CAS 2305-05-07
What Is Gamma-Dodecalactone?
Gamma-Dodecalactone is a fruity, peach-like aroma chemical found in many perfumes and flavored products. You’ll encounter it in body lotions, candles, and gourmand fragrances that aim for creamy, lactonic effects. This molecule matters because it creates the illusion of ripe fruits without using actual fruit extracts, offering stability and consistency that natural ingredients can’t match.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Gamma-Dodecalactone Smell Like?
Gamma-Dodecalactone bursts with the creamy sweetness of sun-warmed peaches, dripping with juice at peak ripeness. The initial impression is intensely lactonic – imagine heavy cream swirling with apricot jam. As it evolves, a coconut-like richness emerges, rounding into a velvety base reminiscent of vanilla custard. Unlike sharper fruity notes, this molecule maintains a smooth, almost edible quality throughout its lifespan, never becoming cloying. In drydown, it leaves a delicate trace of powdered milk and toasted almonds.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Gamma-Dodecalactone forms the juicy core of this peach masterpiece, blending with osmanthus to create an ultra-realistic stone fruit effect that lasts far longer than natural extracts could achieve.
Used here to contrast with bitter orange, the lactone provides the creamy ‘flesh’ of the peach note, adding voluptuous texture to what would otherwise be a sharp citrus fragrance.
This gourmand leans heavily on Gamma-Dodecalactone’s dessert-like qualities, pairing it with caramel and vanilla to mimic Italian lemon cake with a peach glaze.
The lactone softens the sharp rhubarb top notes, creating a bridge to the creamy musks and adding a succulent fruitiness to the floral heart.
Gamma-Dodecalactone contributes to the tropical fruit basket effect, blending with pineapple and mango notes to create a luscious, almost edible fruit salad accord.
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Gamma-Dodecalactone belongs to the gamma-lactone class, characterized by a five-membered ring ester structure. While found in trace amounts in peaches and coconut, commercial production typically involves the cyclization of 12-hydroxydodecanoic acid or through Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of cyclododecanone. The gamma configuration is crucial for its fruity odor profile – delta and epsilon lactones of similar chain lengths produce markedly different (often more fatty) aromas. Its relatively large molecular size (12 carbons) contributes to both its tenacity and creamy character compared to shorter-chain lactones.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 297 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.945 g/cm³ |
| Flash Point | >110 °C |
| Refractive Index | 1.456-1.460 |
| Solubility | Soluble in alcohol, oils; insoluble in water |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Adds creamy fruitiness |
| Candles | 1-3% | Up to 8% | Excellent throw and stability |
| Body Care | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Skin-safe at low levels |
| Flavors | 10-50 ppm | Up to 100 ppm | FDA approved for food use |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with ionones to extend fruity effects or with musks to create ‘peach skin’ effects.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Shorter carbon chain creates a more intense peach note with slightly metallic edge, useful when more projection is needed.
Delta configuration yields a milkier, less fruity character for formulations requiring creamy rather than peachy effects.
Smaller molecule with stronger coconut character, better for top notes but lacks Gamma-Dodecalactone’s richness.
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 IFRA Transparency List with no usage limits.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM evaluation confirms safe use at current industry levels with wide margins of safety.
Sustainability
Most Gamma-Dodecalactone is synthesized from petrochemical sources, though some producers use plant-derived fatty acids as starting materials. The molecule’s efficiency (low usage levels needed for effect) and biodegradability make it relatively sustainable compared to some other aroma chemicals. Some manufacturers are exploring enzymatic production methods to reduce energy inputs.
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References
- Bauer, K. et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH.
- Burdock, G.A. (2010). Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. CRC Press.
- IFRA Transparency List (2023). Gamma-Dodecalactone entry. IFRA Website
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
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