Methyl Ionone (CAS 1335-46-2) — Floral Heart Note Fragrance Ingredient

ByThe Good Scents




Methyl Ionone

CAS 1335-46-2

Origin
Note
IFRA
Generally safe
Data as of: Mar 2026

What Is Methyl Ionone?

Methyl Ionone is a synthetic fragrance ingredient widely used in perfumes and personal care products. It imparts a floral, woody, and slightly powdery scent, often found in soaps, lotions, and fine fragrances. This versatile ingredient is prized for its ability to enhance and blend well with other notes, making it a staple in modern perfumery.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE

Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
✓ Safe in regulated products
⚠ Check for individual sensitivity
CAS
1335-46-2
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Methyl Ionone Smell Like?

Methyl Ionone opens with a soft, floral bouquet reminiscent of violets and iris, layered with a subtle woody undertone. As it evolves, the heart reveals a creamy, powdery character, akin to orris root, while the dry-down settles into a warm, musky base. Its scent profile is elegant and timeless, often used to add depth and sophistication to floral and woody compositions.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Chanel No. 5(Chanel, 1921)

Methyl Ionone adds a powdery, floral depth to the iconic aldehydic bouquet, enhancing its timeless elegance.

Dior Homme(Dior, 2005)

Used to balance the iris and cocoa notes, providing a smooth, velvety texture.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

Methylionone

SMILES: CCC(=O)C=CC1C(=CCCC1(C)C)C

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

Methyl Ionone belongs to the ionone family, characterized by a cyclic structure with a ketone group. It is synthesized through the condensation of citral with acetone, followed by cyclization. The resulting molecule exhibits chirality, with different enantiomers contributing to its complex scent profile. Its stability and versatility make it a favorite in perfumery.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling Point N/A
Density N/A

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Middle
Volatility
Moderate (2-4 hours)
Blending
Excellent
Application Typical % Range Notes
Fine Fragrance 5-10% Up to 15% Adds floral-powdery depth
Personal Care 1-3% Up to 5% Enhances creaminess in lotions

Classic Accords

+ Vanilla + Sandalwood = Oriental
+ Rose + Patchouli = Floral Woody

Tip: Use Methyl Ionone to smooth out harsh top notes and add a powdery elegance to floral compositions.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Ionone Alpha CAS 127-41-3

A more floral variant with a stronger violet character, ideal for floral bouquets.

Layer 3

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

Not restricted by IFRA. Safe for use in all categories.

RIFM Assessment

RIFM assessment confirms safety for current use levels.

Sustainability

Methyl Ionone is synthesized from petrochemical sources, with efforts underway to develop bio-based alternatives. Its production is energy-intensive, but its longevity in fragrances reduces the need for frequent reapplication.

Explore Methyl Ionone

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Industry & Science Data

Odor Detection Threshold
0.0020 ppb
in air (orthonasal)
Ref: van Gemert, Odour Thresholds (2011)
Commercial Price
$40–$90/kg
synthetic grade, bulk market
Indicative 2024 pricing. Varies by purity & volume.
Global Usage Rank
#27 most used
by global fragrance volume
Source: IFRA Usage Survey 2015
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References

  1. PubChem Methyl Ionone PubChem

Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.

Report a data error

Ingredient Data Sheet

CAS 1335-46-2

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight206.32 g/mol🔬 PubChem
LogP (Octanol-Water)3.4🔬 PubChem
Boiling Point238 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
log Kp (skin permeability)-1.545💻 Calculated
SMILESCCC(=O)C=CC1C(=CCCC1(C)C)C🔬 PubChem

Volatility & Performance

Fragrance NoteHeart💻 Calculated

Odor & Flavor

Primary Descriptorsfloralorrissweetvioletwoody• leffingwell
Functional Groupsketonealkene💻 RDKit

Regulatory Status

IFRA ListedYes — see IFRA Standards for category limits⚖️ IFRA 51
Data Sources & Attribution
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: DTXSID0029214

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight 206.32 g/mol🔬 PubChem
Density 0.921 g/cm^3🔬 PubChem
Boiling Point 238 °C🔬 PubChem
Flash Point 145 °C📊 PubChem

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 3.4 Log10 unitless🔬 PubChem

Transport Properties

Vapor Pressure 0.4 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 3 count💻 Computed
Molar Refractivity 64.7 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.

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