Gamma-undecalactone (CAS 104-67-6) — Fruity Heart Note Fragrance Ingredient
Gamma-undecalactone
CAS 104-67-6
What Is Gamma-undecalactone?
Gamma-undecalactone is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that creates rich, fruity aromas reminiscent of ripe peaches. You’ll encounter it in fruity perfumes, body care products, and some gourmand food flavorings. This lactone is prized for its ability to add creamy, juicy depth to fragrance compositions. It helps create the illusion of sun-ripened fruits without using actual fruit extracts, making fragrances more stable and long-lasting.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Gamma-undecalactone Smell Like?
Gamma-undecalactone bursts with an intense, mouthwatering peach nectar character – think overripe peaches dripping with syrup, with a creamy undertone of coconut flesh. The initial impression is intensely sweet and lactonic, evolving into a velvety fruitiness that lingers in the heart phase. As it dries down, it reveals a subtle milky nuance that blends beautifully with vanilla and amber bases. The overall effect is like biting into a perfect peach at peak ripeness, with none of the tartness – just pure, decadent fruitiness.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Uses gamma-undecalactone as the core of its hyper-realistic peach accord, amplified with osmanthus and vanilla to create a luscious, almost edible fruitiness.
Counterbalances the lactonic sweetness with bitter orange and patchouli, letting the gamma-undecalactone provide the ripe fruit core.
Blends gamma-undecalactone with vinous notes to create the illusion of sun-warmed peaches growing on a vineyard.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCCCCCCC1CCC(=O)O1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Gamma-undecalactone belongs to the gamma-lactone family, cyclic esters characterized by their fruity, creamy odors. While lactones occur naturally in many fruits, commercial gamma-undecalactone is synthesized via esterification of undecenoic acid followed by intramolecular cyclization. The gamma position of the lactone ring (five-membered) is crucial for its characteristic peach aroma – delta-lactones (six-membered rings) have different odor profiles. This molecule exhibits no chirality, existing as a single stereoisomer.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow liquid |
|---|---|
| Boiling Point | 297 °C (estimated) |
| Density | 0.95 g/cm³ (estimated) |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-3% | Up to 5% | Core of peach accords |
| Body Care | 0.1-1% | Up to 2% | Adds fruity creaminess |
| Candles | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Good heat stability |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with white musks to enhance diffusion and longevity of the peach effect.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Shorter carbon chain gives more coconut-like character, useful when less intense peach is desired.
Provides milky, fatty peach nuances for more complex lactonic effects.
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 restrictions under IFRA standards. Listed on IFRA Transparency List with no usage limits.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safe use at current industry levels with no significant concerns.
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, gamma-undecalactone has consistent quality without agricultural variability. Production typically uses petrochemical feedstocks, though some manufacturers are exploring bio-based routes using fermentation-derived undecenoic acid. The synthetic nature eliminates concerns about seasonal availability or crop diseases affecting supply.
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References
- Burdock, G.A. (2010). Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. CRC Press. ISBN 9781420090869
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 104-67-6Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 184.27 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.3🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 299.5 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.0269 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 145 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.0021💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -1.481💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CCCCCCCC1CCC(=O)O1🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Base💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 3 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | apricot• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | esterether💻 RDKit |
| gamma -Undecalactone has a strong, fruity odor suggestive of peach (particularly on dilution). It has a pungent and sweet flavor also similar to peach.📖 Fenaroli | |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 0.3675 ppm (n=9)📖 van Gemert |
Regulatory Status
| EU Annex III | Listed (restricted)⚖️ IFRA 51 |
| 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: DTXSID4034287
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 184.279 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.943 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 292.75 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 4.308 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 145 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.449 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 196.362 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.6 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 3.309 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 3.309 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 6.72 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.004 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.011 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Viscosity | 3.149 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 31.319 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 | 6 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 52.674 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 20.881 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.
