Muscone (CAS 541-91-3) — Musky Base Note Fragrance Ingredient
Muscone
CAS 541-91-3
What Is Muscone?
Muscone is the primary aromatic compound responsible for the distinct scent of musk. Found naturally in musk deer secretions, it’s now mostly synthesized for use in perfumery. This ingredient matters because it provides warmth, depth, and animalic sensuality to fragrances, often serving as a base note that lingers on skin for hours.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESS
What Does Muscone Smell Like?
Muscone delivers a rich, warm, and profoundly animalic scent with velvety undertones. Imagine the intimate warmth of sun-baked skin combined with the earthy depth of aged leather. Initially intense, it evolves into a soft, powdery embrace that melds seamlessly with skin. Its dry-down reveals a subtle sweetness reminiscent of clean human sweat, creating an irresistibly sensual trail.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Uses muscone to create an opulent, animalic musk that evokes the grandeur of Mongolian emperors. The ingredient provides the fragrance’s signature sensual warmth.
Features muscone to replicate the natural scent of musk deer, blending it with spices and woods for a wild yet wearable musk.
Muscone adds depth and sensuality to this modern classic, creating a provocative yet refined animalic musk.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC1CCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Muscone is a macrocyclic ketone with a 15-membered ring structure. Originally isolated from musk deer, modern production relies on synthetic routes due to ethical and conservation concerns. Key synthesis methods include ring-closing metathesis of long-chain dienes. Its large ring structure contributes to exceptional stability and longevity in fragrances.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 328 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.922 g/cm³ |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Provides animalic depth |
| Soap | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Used sparingly for warmth |
Classic Accords
+ Rose + Patchouli = Oriental Luxe
Tip: Use muscone sparingly to avoid overwhelming compositions – its power lies in subtlety.
Alternatives & Comparisons
A synthetic musk with similar warmth but cleaner profile, often used as muscone substitute.
White musk with less animalic character, preferred for laundry and cleaner fragrances.
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
IFRA restricted – must not exceed 1.4% in leave-on products (Amendment 49).
EU Allergen Declaration
Not listed as EU allergen.
GHS Classification
H319 Eye irritation
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safe use at current restricted levels.
Sustainability
Modern muscone is entirely synthetic, eliminating ethical concerns about musk deer hunting. Production requires significant energy input but avoids wildlife impact.
Explore Muscone
Browse essential oils and aroma compounds.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Industry & Science Data
References
- PubChem: Muscone CID 10947
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Physicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID8052192
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 238.415 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.919 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 327.5 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -1.7 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 148.567 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.437 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 282.587 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 6.06 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 5.897 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 5.897 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 8.41 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 6.738 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 29.477 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 141.609 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 17.07 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 74.015 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 29.342 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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