l-.beta.-Pinene (CAS 18172-67-3) — Woody Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
l-.beta.-Pinene
CAS 18172-67-3
What Is l-.beta.-Pinene?
L-β-Pinene is a naturally occurring terpene found in many coniferous trees, particularly pine needles and resin. It’s what gives pine forests their crisp, refreshing scent. You’ll encounter it in cleaning products, air fresheners, and some citrus-forward perfumes. This molecule matters because it’s a key building block for many fragrance ingredients. Its sharp pine aroma helps create fresh, outdoorsy scents that feel energizing and clean.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does l-.beta.-Pinene Smell Like?
L-β-Pinene bursts forth with an intensely crisp, dry pine needle character – imagine crushing fresh pinecones between your fingers. The aroma evolves from an initial sharp, almost turpentine-like punch into a cleaner, woodier heart. Unlike its cousin α-pinene, it carries a subtle citrusy lift that prevents it from becoming overly harsh. The dry-down reveals a faintly resinous, slightly sweet quality reminiscent of pine sap drying in the sun. In blends, it behaves like a sparkling top note that gradually settles into a woody-herbal foundation.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
This Italian classic uses L-β-Pinene as the backbone of its pine forest accord, combining it with lavender and citrus to create a crisp, masculine fougère structure.
Used sparingly to add a refreshing pine needle accent that contrasts beautifully with the vanilla base, creating an outdoorsy yet gourmand effect.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC1(C)[C@@H]2C[C@H]1C(=C)CC2
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
L-β-Pinene is a bicyclic monoterpene with the molecular formula C10H16. As one of two major pinene isomers (alongside α-pinene), it features a distinctive four-membered ring structure. The ‘L-‘ designation indicates its levorotatory optical activity. Industrially produced through fractional distillation of turpentine oil or via chemical synthesis from α-pinene. Its chiral nature makes it particularly valuable for synthesizing other optically active fragrance ingredients.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 165-166 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.862 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.465 |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-3% | Up to 5% | Used for fresh pine top notes |
| Household Cleaners | 1-5% | Up to 10% | Provides fresh pine character |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with citrus oils to brighten pine accords and prevent harshness.
Alternatives & Comparisons
More common isomer with sharper, drier pine character. Use when a less citrusy pine note is desired.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No IFRA restrictions. Generally recognized as safe for use in fragrances.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM has evaluated pinene isomers and found no significant safety concerns at typical usage levels.
Sustainability
Most L-β-Pinene is sourced as a byproduct of the paper industry’s turpentine recovery process. Synthetic production offers consistent quality but requires more energy. Sustainable forestry practices ensure renewable pine sources. Biodegradable and non-persistent in the environment.
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References
- Burdock, G.A. (2010). Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. CRC Press. ISBN 9781420090860
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 18172-67-3Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 136.23 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.1🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 165 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Flash Point | 39 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -1.33💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC1(C2CCC(=C)C1C2)C🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Heart💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | greenwoody• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | alkene💻 RDKit |
| “Dry-woody, resinous-piney odor of poor tenacity.”📖 Arctander | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “This Terpene is not used to any great extent as such in perfumes or flavors. As a chemical starting material or intermediate, it is one of the most important of all chemicals in the perfume industry. Via its pyrolysis-product, Myrcene, it opens the way to chemical synthesis of countless large-volume”📖 Arctander |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 2.8896 ppm (n=3)📖 van Gemert |
Regulatory Status
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2903⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| GRAS Status | Generally Recognized as Safe⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
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: DTXSID1041184
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 136.238 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.869 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 165.063 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -61 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 36.988 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.484 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 153.074 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4.043 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 4.043 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 4.043 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 4.48 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0.062 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 2.944 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Viscosity | 2.087 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 28.483 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 112.703 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 0 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 43.76 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 17.348 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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