Glycine, N-[[5-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)cyclohexyl]carbonyl]-, ethyl ester (CAS 39668-74-1) — Woody Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient

Woody · Balsamic

Glycine, N-_[[5-_methyl-_2-_(1-_methylethyl)_cyclohexyl]_carbonyl]_-_, ethyl ester

CAS 39668-74-1

Origin
synthetic
Note
Middle
IFRA
Generally safe
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is Glycine, N-_[[5-_methyl-_2-_(1-_methylethyl)_cyclohexyl]_carbonyl]_-_, ethyl ester?

This synthetic fragrance ingredient is a complex ester used in modern perfumery to create fresh, woody, and slightly musky effects. Consumers might encounter it in high-end colognes and body care products where it contributes to sophisticated scent profiles. The molecule’s balanced character makes it valuable for perfumers seeking to bridge fresh top notes with deeper base tones without overwhelming the composition.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
Not classified as hazardous
Limited safety data available
CAS
39668-74-1
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Woody · Balsamic
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Glycine, N-_[[5-_methyl-_2-_(1-_methylethyl)_cyclohexyl]_carbonyl]_-_, ethyl ester Smell Like?

This ester unfolds with a crisp, almost metallic freshness that quickly softens into a smooth woody-amber character. Imagine the first bite of a green apple meeting aged oak barrels – initially bright, then deepening into warm, rounded tones. The dry-down reveals subtle musky undertones that linger like distant incense, providing excellent tenacity without heaviness. Its evolution makes it particularly useful for creating transparent yet persistent fragrance layers.

Scent Profile
Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

N-[[5-Methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)cyclohexyl]carbonyl]glycine ethyl ester

SMILES: CCOC(=O)CNC(=O)C1CC(C)CCC1C(C)C

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

As a synthetic ester derivative of menthol, this compound belongs to the cyclohexyl carbonyl family. The structure features a branched isopropyl group that contributes to its stereochemical complexity. Industrial synthesis typically involves esterification of menthol-derived carboxylic acids with ethyl glycinate under controlled conditions. The resulting molecule exhibits chirality that significantly impacts its odor profile, with different enantiomers displaying varying intensity and character.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling PointNot available
DensityNot available

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Middle
Volatility
Moderate (2-4 hours)
Blending
Good
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance1-3%Up to 5%Adds woody-musky depth
Body Care0.5-1.5%Up to 2%Provides subtle longevity

Classic Accords

Tip: Use as a bridge between citrus top notes and woody bases to prevent harsh transitions.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Ethyl Linalool CAS 10339-55-6

Offers similar fresh-woody effects with more floral character and established safety profile.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.

IFRA Status

Not currently restricted by IFRA standards.

RIFM Assessment

No RIFM assessment publicly available as of current data.

Sustainability

Being a fully synthetic material, production avoids agricultural impacts but depends on petrochemical feedstocks. The multi-step synthesis requires energy-intensive processes, though modern manufacturers increasingly implement green chemistry principles to reduce environmental footprint. Future sustainability improvements could involve bio-based precursors or catalytic methods.

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References

    Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.

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    Ingredient Data Sheet

    CAS 39668-74-1

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight269.38 g/mol🔬 PubChem
    LogP (Octanol-Water)3.4🔬 PubChem
    Boiling Point275 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
    Vapor Pressure0 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA
    Flash Point190.2 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
    log Kp (skin permeability)-1.929💻 Calculated
    SMILESCCOC(=O)CNC(=O)C1CC(CCC1C(C)C)C🔬 PubChem

    Volatility & Performance

    Fragrance NoteBase💻 Calculated
    Volatility ClassVery slow💻 Calculated
    Persistence Score11.2 / 5💻 Calculated

    Odor & Flavor

    Functional Groupsesterether💻 RDKit
    Data Sources & Attribution
    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: DTXSID20960278

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight 269.385 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
    Density 1.009 g/cm^3📊 OPERA
    Boiling Point 331.281 °C📊 OPERA
    Melting Point 83.614 °C📊 OPERA
    Flash Point 200.809 °C📊 OPERA
    Refractive Index 1.462 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
    Molar Volume 271.624 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

    Partition & Solubility

    LogP (Octanol-Water) 3.579 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogD (pH 5.5) 3.329 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogD (pH 7.4) 3.574 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 8.55 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    Water Solubility 0.06 mol/L📊 OPERA
    Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

    Transport Properties

    Vapor Pressure 0 mmHg📊 OPERA
    Viscosity 74.448 cP📊 OPERA
    Surface Tension 33.221 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
    Thermal Conductivity 145.6 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA

    Molecular Descriptors

    Topological Polar Surface Area 55.4 Ų💻 Computed
    H-Bond Donors 1 count💻 Computed
    H-Bond Acceptors 3 count💻 Computed
    Rotatable Bonds 5 count💻 Computed
    Aromatic Rings 0 count💻 Computed
    Molar Refractivity 74.717 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
    Polarizability 29.62 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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