Menthadiene-7-methyl formate (CAS 68683-20-5) — Green Top-middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Menthadiene-7-methyl formate
CAS 68683-20-5
What Is Menthadiene-7-methyl formate?
Menthadiene-7-methyl formate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient used to add fresh, minty-green nuances to perfumes and personal care products. You’ll encounter it in body sprays, deodorants, and some modern citrus colognes. This molecule matters because it provides a crisp, diffusive mint character without the cooling sensation of menthol, making it versatile for warm-weather fragrances where traditional mint notes might feel too sharp or medicinal.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Menthadiene-7-methyl formate Smell Like?
Menthadiene-7-methyl formate bursts with a vibrant green-mint freshness reminiscent of crushed peppermint leaves without the icy chill. The opening is all dewy herbaceousness – imagine morning mist on a mint patch with subtle citrus undertones. As it evolves, a delicate fruity-floral character emerges, like mint blossoms dipped in lime zest. The dry-down reveals a clean woody-musky base that lingers as a skin-scent whisper. Unlike traditional mint materials, this maintains brightness without overpowering, making it ideal for modern fougères and sporty citrus accords where you want lift without menthol’s sharpness.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used here to amplify the aquatic freshness with its minty-green facets, blending seamlessly with calone and bergamot to create a bracing yet wearable summer scent that avoids traditional mint’s medicinal connotations.
Provides a crisp herbal sparkle in the top notes, complementing the ginger and grapefruit while adding dimensionality to the woody-amber drydown without competing with the iris heart.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC(C)C1=CCC(=CC1)CCOC=O
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Menthadiene-7-methyl formate belongs to the ester class of terpenoid derivatives, synthesized through esterification of menthadiene alcohols with formic acid. While not found in nature, its structure mimics modified mint terpenes. Industrial production typically involves acid-catalyzed reactions under controlled conditions to prevent rearrangement of the diene system. The molecule’s volatility comes from its relatively low molecular weight ester group combined with the terpene backbone, giving it both good diffusion and tenacity for a fresh material.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow liquid |
|---|---|
| Boiling Point | Estimated 210-230°C |
| Density | ~0.92 g/cm³ (estimated) |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Fresh top note modifier |
| Functional Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 8% | Deodorant applications |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use as a bridge between citrus top notes and herbal heart notes to prevent harsh transitions.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Provides similar minty character with greater stability in alkaline formulations like soaps.
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
Under review by RIFM – preliminary data suggests low sensitization potential.
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, production avoids agricultural land use but requires petrochemical feedstocks. Manufacturers are exploring bio-based routes using terpene byproducts from citrus processing. The material’s potency means relatively small quantities are needed in formulations, reducing overall environmental load compared to some natural mint extracts.
Explore Menthadiene-7-methyl formate
Browse essential oils and aroma compounds.
Browse on iHerb →Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Ingredient Data Sheet
CAS 68683-20-5Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 194.27 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.6🔬 PubChem |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -2.039💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC(C)C1=CCC(=CC1)CCOC=O🔬 PubChem |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | citrusgreen• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | etheralkene💻 RDKit |
Regulatory Status
| IFRA Listed | Yes — see IFRA Standards for category limits⚖️ IFRA 51 |
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: DTXSID4071712
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 194.27 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.6 Log10 unitless🔬 PubChem |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 26.3 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 5 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 56.87 cm^3/mol💻 Computed |
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.
