Isobornyl methyl ether (CAS 5331-32-8) — Woody Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Isobornyl methyl ether
CAS 5331-32-8
What Is Isobornyl methyl ether?
Isobornyl methyl ether is a synthetic fragrance ingredient used to add woody, pine-like freshness to perfumes and household products. You’ll encounter it in air fresheners, masculine colognes, and cleaning products. This versatile material matters because it provides long-lasting woody notes without being overly harsh, making it popular for creating forest-like accords in modern fragrances.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Isobornyl methyl ether Smell Like?
Isobornyl methyl ether opens with a crisp, camphoraceous burst reminiscent of freshly crushed pine needles and winter air. The heart reveals a smoother woody character, like sanded cedar planks with a subtle minty coolness. Dry-down leaves a clean, slightly sweet balsamic trail that lingers close to the skin, evoking sun-warmed tree resin without sticky heaviness.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
This classic Italian fougère uses isobornyl methyl ether to enhance its iconic pine forest accord, creating bracing freshness that lasts through the dry-down.
The synthetic woody note helps bridge the marine and herbal elements, adding depth to the aquatic freshness without heaviness.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CO[C@@H]1C[C@H]2CC[C@]1(C)C2(C)C
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Isobornyl methyl ether is a bicyclic monoterpene ether derived from camphene. Industrially produced via acid-catalyzed reaction of camphene with methanol, it’s valued for its stability compared to natural terpenes. The rigid bicyclic structure contributes to its slow evaporation rate and resistance to oxidation. While chiral centers exist in the isoborneol precursor, the final ether typically appears as a racemic mixture in fragrance applications.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 198 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.94 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.468 |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Woody accent note |
| Functional Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 3% | Freshness booster |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with citrus top notes to prevent harshness in the dry-down.
Alternatives & Comparisons
When a fruitier, less camphoraceous woody note is desired, though with slightly poorer longevity.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No restrictions under IFRA 49th Amendment.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment completed in 2011 – no significant safety concerns at current use levels.
Sustainability
As a petrochemical-derived material, isobornyl methyl ether has higher carbon footprint than natural terpenes, but its synthetic production avoids forestry impacts. Recent advances allow production from bio-based camphene, reducing reliance on fossil feedstocks.
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References
- Bauer, K. et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH. ISBN 9783527600218
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 5331-32-8Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 168.28 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.3🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 199 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 1.0715 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 58.1 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.089💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -1.384💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC1(C2CCC1(C(C2)OC)C)C🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Top💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 0.5 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Functional Groups | ether💻 RDKit |
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: DTXSID0052174
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 168.28 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.926 g/cm^3📊 OPERA |
| Boiling Point | 191.746 °C📊 OPERA |
| Melting Point | 31.504 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 62.84 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.47 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 181.206 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.739 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 3.739 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 3.739 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 4.85 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.004 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0.003 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.791 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Viscosity | 10.319 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 29.193 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 106.38 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 | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 50.599 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 20.059 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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