Phytol (CAS 150-86-7) — Green Heart Note Fragrance Ingredient
Phytol
CAS 150-86-7
What Is Phytol?
Phytol is a natural diterpene alcohol found in green plants and algae. It’s released during chlorophyll breakdown and contributes to the fresh, green scent of cut grass. This ingredient matters because it’s both a fragrance molecule and a precursor for vitamins E and K, linking plant biology to human nutrition.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Phytol Smell Like?
Phytol offers a delicate green aroma reminiscent of freshly crushed leaves with subtle marine undertones. The scent evolves from an initial burst of vegetal crispness to a softer, slightly waxy dry-down. Like the moment after rain when broken stems release their sap, it carries both the vitality of living plants and the quiet melancholy of their decay.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used to recreate the piercing greenness of crushed stems, phytol contributes to this fragrance’s revolutionary hyper-realistic galbanum accord.
Phytol’s marine facets enhance this monsoon-inspired composition, suggesting both rain-drenched vegetation and humid mineral surfaces.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC(C)CCC[C@@H](C)CCC[C@@H](C)CCC\C(C)=C\CO
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Phytol (3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-ol) is an acyclic diterpene alcohol. As a chlorophyll side chain, it’s released during plant senescence. Commercial production typically involves extraction from alfalfa or synthesis from pseudoionone. The molecule’s long hydrocarbon tail contributes to its waxy character and limited volatility.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 202-204 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.85 g/cm³ |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Fragrances | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Adds realistic leafy facets |
| Marine Accords | 0.5-1.5% | Up to 3% | Provides subtle oceanic nuances |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with cis-3-hexenol to boost naturalistic green effects.
Alternatives & Comparisons
More intense green character but lacks phytol’s waxy depth and marine subtleties.
Offers similar green stem effects with added floralcy, though less biomimetic.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. IFRA, REACH, EU Cosmetics Regulation standards update periodically. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating. Not legal or regulatory advice.
IFRA Status
No restrictions under IFRA standards.
EU Allergen Declaration
Not listed as an EU allergen.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM considers phytol safe at current usage levels in fragrance.
Sustainability
Phytol’s natural occurrence makes it biodegradable, though most commercial material is synthesized for consistency. Sourcing from alfalfa byproducts represents an eco-friendly approach to obtaining this material.
Explore Phytol
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References
- PubChem Compound Summary for Phytol CID 5280435
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID1040586
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 296.539 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.85 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 342.748 °C📊 OPERA |
| Melting Point | 36.404 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 161.332 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.46 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 350.722 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 8.086 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 8.086 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 8.086 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 10.62 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 27.103 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 28.712 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 143.892 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 | 13 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 96.018 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 38.064 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.
