(+)-Neomenthol (CAS 2216-52-6) — Green Top-middle Note Fragrance Ingredient

Green · Woody

(+)-Neomenthol

CAS 2216-52-6

Origin
synthetic
Note
Top-middle
IFRA
Generally safe
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is (+)-Neomenthol?

(+)-Neomenthol is a minty-smelling compound primarily encountered in synthetic fragrance formulations. It provides a crisp, cooling sensation similar to peppermint but with greater stability. This ingredient matters because it offers perfumers precise control over minty accords without the volatility of natural mint oils, allowing for longer-lasting freshness in products like aftershaves and body sprays.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
No significant restrictions
Non-allergenic
CAS
2216-52-6
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Green · Woody
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does (+)-Neomenthol Smell Like?

(+)-Neomenthol delivers an icy, crystalline mint character with remarkable purity—like frozen peppermint leaves crushed between frosted glass. Unlike the herbaceous warmth of natural menthol, this stereoisomer presents a laser-sharp cooling effect that persists through the heart phase. The dry-down reveals a subtle woody undertone, making it ideal for modern fougères where traditional mint notes might fade too quickly. When overdosed, it can impart an almost medicinal chill reminiscent of cough drops, but at proper levels creates an invigorating alpine freshness.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Cool Water(Davidoff, 1988)

Used as a synthetic mint enhancer in the iconic aquatic fougère structure, providing persistent cooling without overpowering the marine notes.

Green Irish Tweed(Creed, 1985)

Contributes to the crisp top note accord, blending with violet leaf to create a dewy, freshly-cut grass impression.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

d-Neomenthol

SMILES: CC(C)[C@@H]1CC[C@@H](C)C[C@@H]1O

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

(+)-Neomenthol is a monoterpenoid alcohol and stereoisomer of menthol, differing in the configuration of its hydroxyl group. Industrially produced via hydrogenation of piperitone or isomerization of menthol, its synthesis allows precise control over stereochemistry. The (+) enantiomer exhibits stronger cooling properties than its (-) counterpart due to more efficient TRPM8 receptor binding. Unlike natural menthol mixtures, synthetic production yields 99%+ optical purity, making it valuable for consistent fragrance performance.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling Point212 °C (est.)
Melting Point62-64 °C

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Top-middle
Volatility
Moderate (2-4 hours)
Blending
Good
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance0.5-2%Up to 5%Cooling modifier
Functional Fragrance1-3%Up to 8%Oral care products

Classic Accords

+ Eucalyptus + Rosemary = Herbal freshness + Vanillin + Coumarin = Mint-chocolate

Tip: Use with ionones to create a ‘frosted violet’ effect in floral compositions.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Menthol CAS 89-78-1

Natural mixture of stereoisomers with stronger initial impact but faster evaporation. Use when authentic mint character is preferred.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

No restrictions under IFRA standards.

RIFM Assessment

Evaluated as safe for current fragrance use levels by RIFM (2015).

Sustainability

Synthetic production from renewable turpentine sources reduces pressure on natural mint crops. The high-purity process minimizes waste compared to natural extraction methods.

Explore (+)-Neomenthol

Browse essential oils and aroma compounds.

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References

  1. Eccles R. (1994). Menthol and related cooling compounds. J Pharm Pharmacol. PMID 7532745

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

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Ingredient Data Sheet

CAS 2216-52-6

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight156.26 g/mol🔬 PubChem
LogP (Octanol-Water)3🔬 PubChem
Boiling Point216.1 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
Vapor Pressure1 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA
Flash Point91.1 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
Involatility Index0.0862💻 Calculated
log Kp (skin permeability)-1.523💻 Calculated

Volatility & Performance

Fragrance NoteTop💻 Calculated
Volatility ClassSlow💻 Calculated
Persistence Score0.5 / 5💻 Calculated

Odor & Flavor

Primary Descriptorsminty• leffingwell
d -Neomenthol has a menthol-like odor. It is used in mixtures of menthols as a substitute for l -menthol.📖 Fenaroli

Sensory Thresholds

Odor Detection Threshold0.81 ppm📖 van Gemert

Regulatory Status

IOFI ClassificationNature Identical📖 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: DTXSID9044326

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight 156.269 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
Density 0.898 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX
Boiling Point 214.747 °C🔬 EPA CTX
Melting Point -22 °C🔬 EPA CTX
Flash Point 88.495 °C📊 OPERA
Refractive Index 1.457 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
Molar Volume 175.542 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 3.4 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX
LogD (pH 5.5) 3.242 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 7.4) 3.242 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 6.6 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
Water Solubility 0.003 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX
Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

Transport Properties

Vapor Pressure 0.043 mmHg📊 OPERA
Viscosity 9.449 cP📊 OPERA
Surface Tension 29.625 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
Thermal Conductivity 129.72 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 47.833 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
Polarizability 18.963 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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