Neohesperidin dihydrochalcone (CAS 20702-77-6) — Sweet Base Note Fragrance Ingredient

Sweet · Balsamic

Neohesperidin dihydrochalcone

CAS 20702-77-6

Origin
synthetic
Note
Base
IFRA
Generally safe
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is Neohesperidin dihydrochalcone?

Neohesperidin dihydrochalcone is a synthetic sweetener and flavor modifier derived from citrus fruits. You’ll find it in sugar-free candies, chewing gums, and some perfumes where a sweet, long-lasting note is desired. This ingredient matters because it provides an intensely sweet, honey-like character without adding calories, making it valuable for both food and fragrance applications where sugar would be impractical.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
Approved for food use in many countries
May interact with certain medications
CAS
20702-77-6
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Sweet · Balsamic
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Neohesperidin dihydrochalcone Smell Like?

Neohesperidin dihydrochalcone delivers an intense, lingering sweetness reminiscent of honey soaked in orange blossom water, with nuances of dried figs and candied citrus peel. Unlike sugar, it has a slight woody-herbal undertone that prevents cloying sweetness. In perfumery, it acts as a powerful fixative for sweet accords, amplifying vanilla and fruity notes while adding a polished, almost glossy sweetness that persists through the dry-down.

Scent Profile
Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

Neohesperidin dihydrochalcone

SMILES: COC1=C(O)C=C(CCC(=O)C2=C(O)C=C(O[C@@H]3O[C@H](CO)[C@@H](O)[C@H](O)[C@H]3O[C@@H]3O[C@@H](C)[C@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@H]3O)C=C2O)C=C1

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

This semi-synthetic compound belongs to the dihydrochalcone class, produced by hydrogenation of neohesperidin (a flavonoid glycoside from bitter oranges). The process creates a stable, water-soluble molecule with exceptional sweetness potency (1500-1800 times sweeter than sucrose). Though chiral centers exist in its structure, the commercial material is typically used as a racemate. Its sweetness comes from specific interactions with TAS1R2/TAS1R3 taste receptors.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Base
Volatility
Very low (days)
Blending
Specialized
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance0.1-0.5%Up to 1%Sweetness booster
Functional Fragrance0.05-0.2%Up to 0.5%Masking agent
Candles0.3-1%Up to 2%Sweet dry-down

Classic Accords

Tip: Use sparingly – 0.1% can dramatically sweeten an entire formula.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Ethyl maltol CAS 4940-11-8

When a softer, more diffuse sweetness is needed without the intense persistence of neohesperidin DC.

2
Sucralose CAS 56038-13-2

For applications requiring water solubility and sugar-like taste profile without fragrance interference.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.

IFRA Status

No IFRA restrictions. Classified as a flavor rather than fragrance material.

RIFM Assessment

Not evaluated by RIFM as it’s primarily a flavor ingredient.

Sustainability

While derived from citrus byproducts, industrial synthesis requires significant energy input. Some manufacturers use enzymatic methods to improve sustainability. Biodegradation studies show moderate environmental persistence.

Explore Neohesperidin dihydrochalcone

Browse essential oils and aroma compounds.

Browse on iHerb →

Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

References

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

    Report a data error

    Layer 3 · Practical

    • FEMA GRAS: 3811
    • Molecular Weight: 612.60 g/mol
    • LogP (XLogP): -0.30

    Ingredient Data Sheet

    CAS 20702-77-6

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight612.6 g/mol🔬 PubChem
    LogP (Octanol-Water)-0.3🔬 PubChem
    Boiling Point372 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
    Vapor Pressure0 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA
    Flash Point302.6 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
    log Kp (skin permeability)-6.65💻 Calculated
    SMILESCC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2C(C(C(OC2OC3=CC(=C(C(=C3)O)C(=O)CCC4=CC(=C(C=C4)OC)O)O)CO)O)O)O)O)O🔬 PubChem

    Volatility & Performance

    Fragrance NoteBase💻 Calculated

    Odor & Flavor

    Functional Groupsketonealcoholphenoletheraromatic💻 RDKit
    Neohesperidin dihydrochalcone is used as a flavor enhancer.📖 Fenaroli
    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: DTXSID3025706

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight 612.581 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
    Density 1.382 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX
    Boiling Point 687.787 °C📊 OPERA
    Melting Point 155.778 °C🔬 EPA CTX
    Flash Point 352.705 °C📊 OPERA
    Refractive Index 1.684 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
    Molar Volume 378.782 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

    Partition & Solubility

    LogP (Octanol-Water) 0.67 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX
    LogD (pH 5.5) -0.104 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogD (pH 7.4) 0.073 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 9.59 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    Water Solubility 0.001 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX
    Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

    Transport Properties

    Vapor Pressure 0 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX
    Surface Tension 97.502 dyn/cm📊 OPERA

    Molecular Descriptors

    Topological Polar Surface Area 245.29 Ų💻 Computed
    H-Bond Donors 9 count💻 Computed
    H-Bond Acceptors 15 count💻 Computed
    Rotatable Bonds 10 count💻 Computed
    Aromatic Rings 2 count💻 Computed
    Molar Refractivity 143.854 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
    Polarizability 57.028 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.

    Similar Posts