Methyl beta-naphthyl ketone (CAS 93-08-3) — Floral Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Methyl beta-naphthyl ketone
CAS 93-08-3
What Is Methyl beta-naphthyl ketone?
Methyl beta-naphthyl ketone is a synthetic fragrance ingredient used to add warm, powdery notes to perfumes. It’s found in floral and oriental fragrances, often contributing to vintage-style compositions. This molecule matters because it mimics aspects of natural floral absolutes at a fraction of the cost, allowing broader access to complex scent profiles.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Methyl beta-naphthyl ketone Smell Like?
Opens with a sharp, almost camphoraceous burst that quickly settles into a rich floral-orange blossom character. Over hours, it develops a powdery, slightly animalic undertone reminiscent of antique perfume sachets. The drydown has a persistent honeyed warmth with a waxy texture akin to beeswax candles in an old library.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Provides the powdery-orange blossom counterpoint to vanilla in this oriental masterpiece, creating luminous diffusion around heavy base notes.
Used sparingly to amplify the indolic aspects of jasmine while adding a polished powderiness to the floral bouquet.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC(=O)C1=CC2=CC=CC=C2C=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Methyl beta-naphthyl ketone belongs to the aryl alkyl ketone class, synthesized through Friedel-Crafts acylation of naphthalene. The planar naphthyl ring system allows strong π-π stacking interactions that contribute to its tenacious substantivity. Modern synthesis often employs greener catalysts like zeolites to reduce environmental impact compared to traditional aluminum chloride methods.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 300-302 °C |
|---|---|
| Melting Point | 54-56 °C |
| Flash Point | >110 °C |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Adds floral-powdery diffusion |
| Soap | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Boosts floral character with good stability |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with ionones to create seamless floral-powdery transitions.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Positional isomer with slightly sharper, more herbaceous character.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No current restrictions under IFRA 49th Amendment.
EU Allergen Declaration
Not listed in EU allergen regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM reviewed with no significant safety concerns at reported use levels.
Sustainability
Synthetic production from petroleum derivatives raises carbon footprint concerns, but modern catalytic methods have improved efficiency. Not biodegradable but used at very low concentrations.
Explore Methyl beta-naphthyl ketone
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References
- Arctander, S. (1969). Perfume and Flavor Chemicals. Montclair, NJ.
- Bauer, K. et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH.
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 93-08-3Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 170.21 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.2🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 300 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.0006 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 104.6 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.0001💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -1.466💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC(=O)C1=CC2=CC=CC=C2C=C1🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Base💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 5.9 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | orangesweet• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | ketonearomatic💻 RDKit |
| “Overall more powerful and also more pleasant than the alpha-isomer. Stable in soap and most other mild alkalis. Although its odor has often been compared to that of Methyl-”📖 Arctander | |
| Methyl b-napthyl ketone has a floral, neroli odor suggestive of orange blossom and a strawberry-like flavor.📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “In extreme dilution it has a Strawberry-Grape-like taste.”📖 Arctander |
Regulatory Status
| IFRA Listed | Yes — see IFRA Standards for category limits⚖️ IFRA 51 |
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2723⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| GRAS Status | Generally Recognized as Safe⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| IOFI Classification | Artificial📖 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: DTXSID2041389
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 170.21 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| Density | 1.286 g/cm^3🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 300.5 °C🔬 PubChem |
| Melting Point | 54.5 °C🔬 PubChem |
| Flash Point | 104.6 °C🔬 PubChem |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.2 Log10 unitless🔬 PubChem |
| Water Solubility | 0.008 mol/L🔬 PubChem |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.001 mmHg🔬 PubChem |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 17.07 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 53.95 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.
