Phenol, 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)- (CAS 128-39-2) — Woody Base Note Fragrance Ingredient

Woody · Balsamic

Phenol, 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-

CAS 128-39-2

Origin
synthetic
Note
Base
IFRA
Use with awareness
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is Phenol, 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-?

This synthetic compound is a specialized fragrance ingredient primarily used in industrial applications and some niche perfumery. Consumers might encounter it in certain woody or phenolic fragrance compositions. While not common in mainstream perfumes, it serves as a subtle modifier that can enhance stability and longevity in specific scent profiles.

Safety Profile

USE WITH AWARENESS
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
Potential skin irritant
Limited safety data available
CAS
128-39-2
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Woody · Balsamic
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Phenol, 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)- Smell Like?

Phenol, 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)- presents a dry, woody character with phenolic undertones. The scent evolves from an initial sharp medicinal quality to a more subdued, earthy base. Its odor profile is reminiscent of aged wood with a faint smokiness, making it useful for adding depth and complexity to woody accords.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Unknown(N/A, 0)

This ingredient is not commonly used in commercial fragrances due to its specialized nature and potential safety concerns.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

2,6-Di-tert-butylphenol

SMILES: CC(C)(C)C1=CC=CC(=C1O)C(C)(C)C

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

This compound belongs to the class of hindered phenols, characterized by bulky tert-butyl groups adjacent to the hydroxyl group. It is synthesized through alkylation reactions of phenol with isobutylene. The steric hindrance from the tert-butyl groups affects its reactivity and odor properties.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling PointN/A
DensityN/A

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Base
Volatility
Low
Blending
Moderate
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Industrial Fragrance0.1-1%Up to 2%Used as stabilizer and modifier

Classic Accords

Tip: Use sparingly in woody compositions to add phenolic depth without overwhelming other notes.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
BHT CAS 128-37-0

A more commonly used hindered phenol with similar stabilizing properties but different odor characteristics.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

Not currently restricted by IFRA.

GHS Classification

H315 Skin irritation H319 Eye irritation

RIFM Assessment

Limited safety assessment data available from RIFM.

Sustainability

As a synthetic compound, this ingredient’s environmental impact depends on manufacturing processes. Its persistence and biodegradability characteristics are not well documented.

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References

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

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    Physicochemical Properties

    DTXSID: DTXSID6027052

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight 206.329 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
    Density 0.913 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX
    Boiling Point 253.205 °C🔬 EPA CTX
    Melting Point 37.374 °C🔬 EPA CTX
    Flash Point 116.12 °C🔬 EPA CTX
    Refractive Index 1.499 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
    Molar Volume 221.239 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

    Partition & Solubility

    LogP (Octanol-Water) 4.836 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX
    LogD (pH 5.5) 4.807 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogD (pH 7.4) 4.807 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 8.67 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    Water Solubility 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX
    Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

    Transport Properties

    Vapor Pressure 0.007 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX
    Surface Tension 30.137 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
    Thermal Conductivity 114.775 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 0 count💻 Computed
    Aromatic Rings 1 count💻 Computed
    Molar Refractivity 64.909 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
    Polarizability 25.732 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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