Gamma-Octalactone (CAS 104-50-7) — Sweet Heart Note Fragrance Ingredient
Gamma-Octalactone
CAS 104-50-7
What Is Gamma-Octalactone?
Gamma-Octalactone is a naturally occurring lactone found in coconuts, peaches, and other fruits. It’s widely used in food flavorings and perfumery for its creamy, coconut-like aroma. This ingredient matters because it provides a key tropical note in both edible products and fragrances, creating summery, indulgent scent profiles.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFE
What Does Gamma-Octalactone Smell Like?
Gamma-Octalactone opens with an intense burst of creamy coconut flesh, like sun-warmed tropical fruit. The heart develops milky nuances reminiscent of condensed milk or coconut cream, with a subtle woody undertone. Dry-down reveals a soft, slightly musky lactonic character that lingers close to the skin, evoking sunscreens and beach vacations.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used for its photorealistic coconut note that blends with lime and rum to create a tropical cocktail effect.
Provides a creamy lactonic counterpoint to the sparkling citrus and floral notes in this solar composition.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCCCC1CCC(=O)O1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Gamma-Octalactone is a cyclic ester (lactone) with an eight-membered ring structure. It occurs naturally through fatty acid metabolism in various plants and can be synthesized via ring-closing reactions of hydroxy acids. The gamma position of the lactone ring contributes to its volatility and distinctive odor profile compared to delta-lactones.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 234 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.975 g/cm³ |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.01 mmHg at 25°C |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | For tropical or gourmand effects |
| Functional Fragrance | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | In suncare and beach-themed products |
Classic Accords
+ Citrus + Salt = Oceanic
Tip: Use with white florals to enhance their creaminess without overwhelming their natural character.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Provides a more intense coconut milk note with greater persistence, useful when longer-lasting coconut effects are needed.
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 currently apply to Gamma-Octalactone.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM has reviewed Gamma-Octalactone and found it safe for current use levels in fragrances.
Sustainability
Gamma-Octalactone can be sourced sustainably from coconut byproducts or produced synthetically with low environmental impact. The synthetic route avoids agricultural land use while providing consistent quality.
Explore Gamma-Octalactone
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Industry & Science Data
References
- Burdock, G.A. (2010). Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. CRC Press. ISBN 9781420090772
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Ingredient Data Sheet
CAS 104-50-7Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 142.2 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 1.6🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 234 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.7501 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 115 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.0678💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -2.431💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CCCCC1CCC(=O)O1🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Heart💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 0.5 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | coconutcoumarinicsweet• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | esterether💻 RDKit |
| “The odor of this chemical is described in various literature as "Caraway-like Cumin" (86-28) and (31-173) "Peach" (86-105) but the”📖 Arctander | |
| g-Octalactone has a fruity odor reminiscent of coconut and a very sweet taste.📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “Suggested for use in flavor compositions, where this lactone may form a base for Coconut, Nut, Butter-nut imitation flavors, and be a part of Vanilla compositions, Butter, Cheese, Caramel, Treacle, Rum, etc. A combination of 15% Octanolide plus 85% Cyclotene shows a Coumarin-like taste in concentrat”📖 Arctander |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 0.0181 ppm (n=12)📖 van Gemert |
Regulatory Status
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2796⚖️ 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: DTXSID1047609
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 142.198 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.978 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 237.7 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -65.4 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 103.738 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.441 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 146.842 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 27.13 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 1.8 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 1.8 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 5 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.02 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.75 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 1.873 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 30.224 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 26.3 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 3 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 38.775 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 15.372 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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