Octahydro-4,7-methano-1H-indenemethyl formate (CAS 68039-78-1) — Woody Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient

Woody · Green

Octahydro-4,7-methano-1H-indenemethyl formate

CAS 68039-78-1

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

What Is Octahydro-4,7-methano-1H-indenemethyl formate?

Octahydro-4,7-methano-1H-indenemethyl formate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient used in perfumery. It’s found in various consumer products like soaps, detergents, and air fresheners. This compound contributes to creating fresh, woody, and slightly herbal scent profiles in modern fragrances.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
Safe in regulated products
Limited safety data available
CAS
68039-78-1
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Woody · Green
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Octahydro-4,7-methano-1H-indenemethyl formate Smell Like?

Octahydro-4,7-methano-1H-indenemethyl formate presents a complex olfactory profile with woody, slightly camphoraceous top notes that evolve into a fresh, green heart. The dry-down reveals subtle herbal nuances reminiscent of crushed leaves and damp earth, with a clean, slightly sweet undertone. Its scent character bridges the gap between natural forest aromas and modern synthetic freshness, making it versatile for contemporary fragrance compositions.

Scent Profile
Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

4,7-Methano-1H-indenemethanol, octahydro-, formate

SMILES: O=COCC1CCC2C3CCC(C3)C12

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

Octahydro-4,7-methano-1H-indenemethyl formate is a synthetic ester derived from hydrogenated indene structures. Its molecular architecture combines cyclic and bicyclic elements with an ester functional group, contributing to its unique olfactory properties. The compound is typically synthesized through catalytic hydrogenation followed by esterification reactions under controlled conditions.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Middle
Volatility
Medium (2-6 hours)
Blending
Good
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance1-3%Up to 5%Used as a woody-green modifier
Functional Fragrance0.5-2%Up to 3%Adds freshness to cleaning products

Classic Accords

Tip: Use as a bridge between citrus top notes and woody base notes for seamless transitions.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Vertofix CAS 68991-42-4

A more woody alternative with similar structural elements but greater tenacity and less green character.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

Not currently restricted by IFRA standards.

RIFM Assessment

Limited RIFM assessment data available.

Sustainability

As a synthetic material, Octahydro-4,7-methano-1H-indenemethyl formate offers consistent quality without natural resource depletion. Its production can be optimized for energy efficiency, though full lifecycle analysis data is currently limited.

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References

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

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    Physicochemical Properties

    DTXSID: DTXSID501015041

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight 194.274 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
    Density 1.063 g/cm^3📊 OPERA
    Boiling Point 259.916 °C📊 OPERA
    Melting Point 22.041 °C📊 OPERA
    Flash Point 146.3 °C📊 OPERA
    Refractive Index 1.504 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
    Molar Volume 180.7 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

    Partition & Solubility

    LogP (Octanol-Water) 2.984 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogD (pH 5.5) 2.984 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogD (pH 7.4) 2.984 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 5.96 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    Water Solubility 0 mol/L📊 OPERA
    Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

    Transport Properties

    Vapor Pressure 0.002 mmHg📊 OPERA
    Viscosity 18.254 cP📊 OPERA
    Surface Tension 38.636 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
    Thermal Conductivity 124.994 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA

    Molecular Descriptors

    Topological Polar Surface Area 26.3 Ų💻 Computed
    H-Bond Donors 0 count💻 Computed
    H-Bond Acceptors 2 count💻 Computed
    Rotatable Bonds 3 count💻 Computed
    Aromatic Rings 0 count💻 Computed
    Molar Refractivity 53.481 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
    Polarizability 21.201 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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