Myrtenol (CAS 515-00-4) — Woody Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Myrtenol
CAS 515-00-4
What Is Myrtenol?
Myrtenol is a monoterpenoid alcohol used in perfumery for its fresh, pine-like scent with herbal nuances. It’s found in natural sources like myrtle oil but is typically synthesized for commercial use. Consumers encounter it in masculine fragrances, household cleaners, and aromatherapy products. This ingredient matters because it bridges herbal and woody fragrance categories, offering a crisp yet warm dimension that works year-round.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Myrtenol Smell Like?
Myrtenol opens with a brisk, camphoraceous pine needle quality reminiscent of a mountain forest after rain. As it evolves, the scent reveals a surprising duality – the initial sharpness softens into a warm, herbaceous heart with subtle eucalyptus-like cooling effects. The dry-down carries faint whispers of dried rosemary and crushed juniper berries, leaving a clean woody trail that lingers without overwhelming. Like catching whiffs of sun-warmed evergreens mixed with dried medicinal herbs in an apothecary’s wooden cabinet.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used to enhance the aromatic fougère structure, contributing a crisp herbal contrast to the citrus top notes while supporting the woody base.
Provides an aromatic bridge between lavender and oakmoss, adding dimension to this classic masculine fragrance’s herbal heart.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: [H]C12CC([H])(C(CO)=CC1)C2(C)C
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Myrtenol (C10H16O) is a bicyclic monoterpenoid alcohol derived from pinene. Its rigid structure features a hydroxyl group on a cyclohexene ring fused to a cyclobutane ring, creating steric hindrance that affects volatility. Industrially produced through isomerization of α-pinene oxide, it exists as a single stereoisomer in nature but can be synthesized as a racemic mixture. The molecule’s strained ring system contributes to its distinctive olfactory profile and moderate stability.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 220 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.96 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.492 |
| Flash Point | 93 °C |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Used as herbal-woody modifier |
| Functional Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 3% | Adds freshness to cleaning products |
| Aromatherapy | 0.1-1% | Up to 2% | Used in respiratory blends |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with citrus top notes to enhance freshness or with woody bases to add herbal complexity.
Alternatives & Comparisons
More floral and less sharp, used when a softer herbal character is desired.
Offers similar piney qualities but with greater woody depth and less camphoraceousness.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not restricted under current IFRA standards (as of Amendment 49).
RIFM Assessment
RIFM evaluation confirms safe use at current industry levels with no significant sensitization risk.
Sustainability
While naturally occurring in some plants, most commercial myrtenol is synthesized from turpentine-derived pinene, making it renewable but energy-intensive to produce. Recent advances in biocatalysis may offer greener synthesis routes. The synthetic route avoids overharvesting of myrtle plants while maintaining consistent quality.
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References
- PubChem Compound Summary for Myrtenol CID 10582
- Bauer et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials.
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorLayer 3 · Practical
- Odor Profile: herbal, woody
- FEMA GRAS: 3439
- Molecular Weight: 152.23 g/mol
- LogP (XLogP): 1.60
Ingredient Data Sheet
CAS 515-00-4Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 152.23 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 1.6🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 221 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -2.493💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC1(C2CC=C(C1C2)CO)C🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Heart💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | herbalwoody• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | alcoholalkene💻 RDKit |
| “The fraction section called "Myrtol" consists mainly of the Terpenes from Myrtle oil and is practically free from Myrtenol or Myrtenyl acetate (see next). But "Myrtol" represents the main odor picture of Myrtle oil and has been used as a disinfectant and folk-medicine in the producing areas (Mediterranean).”📖 Arctander | |
| Myrtenol has a camphoraceous, minty, medicinal, woody odor.📖 Fenaroli | |
Regulatory Status
| IOFI Classification | Nature Identical📖 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: DTXSID00862089
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 152.237 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.98 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 221.5 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 50.288 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 88.593 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.504 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 153.484 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.22 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 3.247 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 3.247 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 7.76 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.015 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.048 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Viscosity | 12.229 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 32.016 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 131.554 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 20.23 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 45.484 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 18.031 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.
