Methyl cedryl ether (Cedramber) (CAS 19870-74-7) — Woody Heart Note Fragrance Ingredient
Methyl cedryl ether (Cedramber)
CAS 19870-74-7
What Is Methyl cedryl ether (Cedramber)?
Methyl cedryl ether, often called Cedramber in perfumery, is a synthetic woody fragrance ingredient. You’ll encounter it in masculine colognes, woody perfumes, and fabric care products where it adds depth. This versatile molecule matters because it provides the dry, amber-like woody character of cedar without being overly sharp or resinous – making it a modern perfumer’s alternative to traditional cedarwood oils.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Methyl cedryl ether (Cedramber) Smell Like?
Methyl cedryl ether unfolds like a polished wooden chest – opening with crisp, almost papery cedar shavings that quickly mellow into a warm, dry woody heart. The scent evolves like fine sandalwood aging in sunlight, gaining subtle amber facets without sweetness. Unlike raw cedar oils, it lacks medicinal sharpness, instead offering a smooth, persistent woody base that lingers on skin for hours. The dry-down resembles antique furniture wax blended with the faintest whisper of vanilla – making it ideal for fragrances needing woody depth without heaviness.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Provides the sleek, modern cedar backbone that supports the citrus-flint accord, giving longevity without overpowering the mineral freshness.
Used alongside sandalwood to create the illusion of aged teak wood, adding dry crispness to balance the creamier wood notes.
Reinforces the woody-amber skeleton of the fragrance, helping bridge the gap between the brighter top notes and deep sandalwood base.
Contributes to the ‘polished wood’ effect in this fragrance, blending with iris and honey to create a luxurious woody-powdery texture.
Provides the dry, ink-like cedar facet that defines this minimalist woody fragrance, enhancing the vetiver’s smoky character.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CO[C@@]1(C)CC[C@@]23C[C@@H]1C(C)(C)[C@@H]2CC[C@H]3C
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Methyl cedryl ether is a synthetic aromatic ether derived from cedrol, a major constituent of cedarwood oil. Chemically, it’s created through methylation of cedrol, which modifies the odor profile to be less camphoraceous and more amber-like. The synthesis typically involves reacting cedrol with dimethyl sulfate or methyl chloride under basic conditions. Unlike natural cedarwood oils which contain complex mixtures of sesquiterpenes, methyl cedryl ether is a single molecule that provides consistent woody-amber character without the variability of natural extracts.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow liquid |
|---|---|
| Boiling Point | ~300 °C (estimated) |
| Density | ~0.98 g/cm³ (estimated) |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-5% | Up to 10% | Woody base modifier |
| Fabric Care | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Long-lasting woody note |
| Household Cleaners | 0.05-0.2% | Up to 0.5% | Fresh woody character |
| Personal Care | 0.5-2% | Up to 3% | Cedarwood alternative |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use to replace cedarwood oil when a cleaner, less medicinal woody note is needed.
Alternatives & Comparisons
The natural precursor from cedarwood oil, more camphoraceous and less refined than methyl cedryl ether.
Another synthetic woody material with more pronounced amber and slightly sweet characteristics.
For modern woody diffusion, though less cedar-specific and more abstract in character.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. IFRA, REACH, EU Cosmetics Regulation standards update periodically. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating. Not legal or regulatory advice.
IFRA Status
No restrictions under IFRA standards. Approved for all fragrance applications.
RIFM Assessment
Evaluated by RIFM and found safe for current use levels in fragrances.
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, methyl cedryl ether provides consistent quality without relying on cedarwood harvesting. Its production avoids the ecological pressures associated with cedarwood oil extraction, though it does require petrochemical feedstocks. The molecule’s potency means relatively small quantities are needed compared to natural cedarwood oils, reducing overall environmental impact per unit of fragrance.
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References
- Bauer, K. et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH.
- Arctander, S. (1969). Perfume and Flavor Chemicals. Allured Publishing.
- Sell, C. (2006). The Chemistry of Fragrances. RSC Publishing.
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 19870-74-7Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 236.39 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4.4🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 290 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.0007 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 110.3 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -1.018💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC1CCC2C13CCC(C(C3)C2(C)C)(C)OC🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Base💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 7.4 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | woody• leffingwell |
| 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: DTXSID3051838
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 236.399 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.94 g/cm^3📊 OPERA |
| Boiling Point | 267.258 °C📊 OPERA |
| Melting Point | 64.729 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 105.888 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.496 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 245.314 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 5.49 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 5.49 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 5.49 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 7.26 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0.001 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.006 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 31.704 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 107.817 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 | 71.697 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 28.423 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.
