Oxacyclohexadec-12-en-2-one, (12E)- (CAS 111879-80-2) — Musky Base Note Fragrance Ingredient
Oxacyclohexadec-12-en-2-one, (12E)-
CAS 111879-80-2
What Is Oxacyclohexadec-12-en-2-one, (12E)-?
This synthetic musk is found in premium laundry detergents and fabric softeners, where it provides a long-lasting clean linen effect. It’s also used in some personal care products for its subtle skin-adhering properties. As a modern musk alternative, it offers perfumers a cleaner, more transparent musk character than traditional animal-derived musks, appealing to contemporary preferences for freshness in home and body care products.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does Oxacyclohexadec-12-en-2-one, (12E)- Smell Like?
A crystalline musk with the crispness of freshly starched cotton sheets warmed by skin. Opens with a faint metallic sheen like chrome in sunlight, quickly softening into a skin-hugging musk reminiscent of sun-dried linen. The dry-down reveals subtle powdery facets that recall baby talc, with a whisper of clean human warmth that makes it remarkably versatile for both personal care and home fragrances.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: O=C1CCCCCCCCC\C=C\CCCO1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
This macrocyclic musk belongs to the oxacycloalkenone class, synthesized through ring-closing metathesis of long-chain dienes followed by selective oxidation. Unlike traditional polycyclic musks, its single oxygen heteroatom provides enhanced water solubility while maintaining excellent tenacity. The (12E)-configuration is crucial for odor quality, with the trans double bond preventing the musty animalic notes found in some saturated macrocycles. Industrial synthesis typically employs Grubbs catalysts for the key cyclization step.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
|---|---|
| Molecular Weight | 238.37 g/mol |
| XLogP | 5.2 (estimated) |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laundry Care | 0.5-2% | Up to 3% | Provides fabric substantivity |
| Fine Fragrance | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Modern musk foundation |
| Personal Care | 0.3-1% | Up to 1.5% | Skin-adhering freshness |
Classic Accords
Tip: Bloom in ethanol before adding to water-based systems to prevent crystallization.
Alternatives & Comparisons
When a softer, more cosmetic musk is desired without the linen crispness of the oxacyclo compound.
For applications requiring better biodegradability while maintaining similar musk profile.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not currently restricted under IFRA standards. Listed as safe up to 20% in leave-on products (IFRA 49th Amendment).
RIFM Assessment
Under review by RIFM for full toxicological profile (2023 priority list). Preliminary data shows no sensitization concerns.
Sustainability
Synthesized from petrochemical precursors with 78% atom economy in current industrial processes. While not biodegradable, its high potency means very low usage levels minimize environmental load. Several manufacturers are developing bio-based routes using modified yeast strains to produce the precursor dienes from renewable sugars.
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References
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID5051313
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 238.371 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.919 g/cm^3📊 OPERA |
| Boiling Point | 341.057 °C📊 OPERA |
| Melting Point | 29.246 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 162.519 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.446 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 264.67 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4.975 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 4.975 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 4.975 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 8.53 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Viscosity | 5.247 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 29.053 dyn/cm📊 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 | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 70.515 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 27.955 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.
