Levulinic acid (CAS 123-76-2) — Sweet Base Note Fragrance Ingredient
Levulinic acid
CAS 123-76-2
What Is Levulinic acid?
Levulinic acid is a synthetic organic acid occasionally used in fragrances as a fixative or modifier. You might encounter it in niche perfumes where it adds a subtle, caramel-like depth. While not a star ingredient, it plays a supporting role in creating warm, gourmand accords. This molecule matters because it’s a bio-based platform chemical, offering sustainable alternatives to petrochemical-derived ingredients in modern perfumery.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Levulinic acid Smell Like?
Levulinic acid presents a subtle, warm character reminiscent of caramelized sugar with a faintly buttery undertone. Its odor is relatively mild compared to other acids, acting more as a background modifier than a primary scent. In blends, it adds a soft sweetness that evolves into a gentle, powdery dry-down. The effect is like distant baker’s notes – not overtly gourmand, but providing a comforting warmth when combined with vanillic or balsamic materials.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC(=O)CCC(O)=O
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Levulinic acid (C5H8O3) is a keto acid derived from cellulose biomass through acid hydrolysis. Industrially produced from sugars via dehydration, it serves as a platform chemical for sustainable fragrance ingredients. The molecule contains both carboxylic acid and ketone functional groups, allowing versatile chemical modifications. Its production from agricultural waste makes it increasingly important in green chemistry applications for perfumery.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 245-246 °C |
|---|---|
| Melting Point | 33-35 °C |
| Density | 1.14 g/cm³ |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Background modifier |
| Functional Fragrance | 0.05-0.2% | Up to 0.5% | Fixative properties |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use sparingly to avoid overpowering other notes – works best as a subtle sweetener in oriental compositions.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Same compound under alternative name, used interchangeably in formulations.
IUPAC name for identical chemical structure in technical specifications.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No IFRA restrictions currently apply to levulinic acid (as of Amendment 51).
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM has reviewed levulinic acid and found it safe for current fragrance use levels.
Sustainability
Levulinic acid represents a sustainable advancement as it’s produced from biomass like agricultural waste. Its bio-based origin reduces reliance on petrochemicals, though energy-intensive production processes still require optimization. The molecule’s potential for creating other green fragrance ingredients makes it strategically important for eco-conscious perfumery.
Explore Levulinic acid
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References
- Bozell et al. (2000). Levulinic acid production. Green Chemistry. DOI Link
- PubChem Compound Summary for Levulinic acid PubChem CID: 11579
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPerfumer’s Notes
FEMA #: 2627 | IOFI #: Nature Identical
Levulinic acid has a tart, whiskey taste.
Odor: [‘caramellic’]
MW: 116.11
LogP: -0.5
Ingredient Data Sheet
CAS 123-76-2Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 116.11 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | -0.5🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 245.5 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -3.763💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC(=O)CCC(=O)O🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Heart💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | caramel• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | ketone💻 RDKit |
| “Mild caramellic odor, or almost odorless (when pure). Decomposition causes acid odor and pungency.”📖 Arctander | |
| Levulinic acid has a tart, whiskey taste.📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “Pleasant, acid taste in proper dilution. The acidulous taste is accompanied by a caramellic flavor giving the impression of sweetness with the acidity. It finds extensive use in flavors, partly as a component of various Berry-type flavor compositions, Butter, Maple and Nut imitations, Caramel and va”📖 Arctander |
Regulatory Status
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2627⚖️ 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: DTXSID8021648
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 116.116 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.137 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 247.113 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 31.31 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 132.65 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.435 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 102.815 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | -0.491 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | -1.179 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | -2.981 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 4.92 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 1.163 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.003 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 3.194 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 34.742 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 156.058 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 54.37 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 3 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 26.807 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 10.627 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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