Pyridine (CAS 110-86-1) — Spicy Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
Pyridine
CAS 110-86-1
What Is Pyridine?
Pyridine is a sharp, pungent chemical compound often found in industrial settings and some niche fragrances. While not common in everyday products, it’s used to create specific medicinal or smoky scent profiles. Its distinct nitrogen-containing structure makes it valuable for creating unique accords, though its intense aroma requires careful blending.
Safety Profile
PROFESSIONAL USEWhat Does Pyridine Smell Like?
Pyridine assaults the nose with a sharp, fishy-ammoniac blast reminiscent of burning rubber or stale tobacco. The initial harshness mellows slightly into a dry, medicinal character with metallic undertones. In dilution, it can suggest smoky leather or even the acrid tang of certain spices, though never losing its fundamentally chemical nature.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: C1=CC=NC=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Pyridine is a heterocyclic aromatic compound with a nitrogen atom in its six-membered ring. This basic structure makes it highly reactive and polar. Industrially produced from coal tar or through catalytic synthesis, its electron-deficient nature allows diverse chemical modifications. The nitrogen lone pair contributes both to its strong odor and chemical reactivity.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 115 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.982 g/cm³ |
| Flash Point | 20 °C |
| Vapor Pressure | 18 mmHg at 20°C |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial Fragrances | <0.1% | Trace only | For extreme effects only |
| Specialty Perfumery | 0.001-0.01% | Minimal | Requires expert handling |
Classic Accords
Tip: Always pre-dilute to 0.1% or lower before incorporating into blends.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Methylpyridines with slightly less aggressive odor profiles while maintaining nitrogenous character.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not directly restricted by IFRA but effectively prohibited due to toxicity concerns.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
Not evaluated by RIFM due to industrial rather than fragrance classification.
Sustainability
Pyridine production carries significant environmental burdens from coal tar processing or energy-intensive synthesis. Most fragrance applications utilize trace reclaimed quantities rather than primary production.
Explore Pyridine
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References
- PubChem Compound Summary for Pyridine CID 1049
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID9021924
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 79.102 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.981 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 115.307 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -41.919 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 19.741 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.501 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 82.657 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 0.647 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 0.521 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 0.649 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 3.32 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 8.012 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole🔬 EPA CTX |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 19.048 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 0.956 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 34.374 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 149.561 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 12.89 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 24.344 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 9.651 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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