Myrcene (CAS 123-35-3) — Citrus Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
Myrcene
CAS 123-35-3
What Is Myrcene?
Myrcene is a naturally occurring terpene found in many plants, including hops, mangoes, and cannabis. It’s commonly encountered in essential oils, perfumes, and flavorings. This ingredient matters because it contributes fresh, herbal, and slightly citrusy notes to fragrances, making it versatile for both masculine and feminine scents.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFE
What Does Myrcene Smell Like?
Myrcene offers a fresh, herbaceous aroma with subtle citrus undertones. It evolves from a bright, slightly peppery top note to a more mellow, woody heart. The dry-down is smooth and earthy, blending well with other terpenes and floral notes. Its scent is reminiscent of crushed green leaves with a hint of ripe mango.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Myrcene adds a fresh, green top note that complements the citrus and herbal accord, enhancing the fragrance’s natural vibrancy.
Used to amplify the herbal and woody facets, myrcene contributes to the fragrance’s crisp, outdoorsy character.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC(C)=CCCC(=C)C=C
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Myrcene is a monoterpene, specifically a linear, unsaturated hydrocarbon. It occurs naturally in many plants and is a key component of essential oils. It can be synthesized via pyrolysis of beta-pinene or extracted from plant sources. Its structure allows for easy blending with other fragrance compounds.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 166-168 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.794 g/cm³ |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 2-5% | Up to 10% | Adds fresh, herbal top notes |
| Functional Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Used in soaps and detergents for green notes |
Classic Accords
+ Woody + Floral = Green
Tip: Use myrcene to add a fresh, green top note that blends well with citrus and herbal accords.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Offers a more pronounced citrus note, suitable for brighter, more uplifting fragrances.
Provides a sharper, more resinous aroma, ideal for pine and forest scents.
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 current IFRA guidelines.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM has assessed myrcene as safe for use in fragrances at current levels.
Sustainability
Myrcene is sustainably sourced from plant-derived essential oils or synthesized from renewable pinene. Both methods have low environmental impact, with plant extraction being more labor-intensive but offering a natural profile.
Explore Myrcene
Browse essential oils and aroma compounds.
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Industry & Science Data
References
- PubChem. Myrcene. PubChem CID XXXXX
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Physicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID6025692
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 136.238 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.793 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 158.083 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -62.62 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 41.3 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.45 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 177.007 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4.345 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 4.262 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 4.262 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 4.52 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0.045 atm-m3/mole🔬 EPA CTX |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 2.031 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 0.622 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 23.266 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 127.131 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 0 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 4 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 47.572 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 18.859 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.
