Raspberry ketone (CAS 5471-51-2) — Fruity Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
Raspberry ketone
CAS 5471-51-2
What Is Raspberry ketone?
Raspberry ketone is the compound responsible for the characteristic sweet, fruity aroma of ripe raspberries. It’s widely used in fragrances, flavorings, and even some dietary supplements. While naturally occurring in raspberries, most commercial raspberry ketone is synthesized for consistency and cost-effectiveness. Its vibrant berry scent makes it popular in fruity and gourmand fragrances.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Raspberry ketone Smell Like?
Raspberry ketone bursts with a luscious, jammy sweetness reminiscent of sun-warmed raspberries straight from the bush. The initial impression is intensely fruity – like crushed berries with a hint of caramelized sugar. As it evolves, a subtle green stemminess emerges, adding depth. The dry-down retains a soft, candied fruitiness that lingers close to the skin, behaving more like a persistent top note than a true base. Unlike some berry notes, it avoids becoming cloying, instead offering a fresh-baked quality that blends beautifully with vanilla and citrus accents.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used alongside patchouli and chocolate notes to create the revolutionary gourmand accord. The raspberry ketone provides bright fruity contrast to the dense sweetness.
Forms a candied berry top note that complements the iris and vanilla heart, contributing to the fragrance’s instantly recognizable gourmand signature.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC(=O)CCC1=CC=C(O)C=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Raspberry ketone (4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)butan-2-one) is a phenolic ketone. While present in raspberries at ~1-4 mg/kg, commercial production typically involves synthesis from p-hydroxybenzaldehyde or through microbial biotransformation. The molecule’s planar structure and hydrogen bonding capacity contribute to its excellent volatility and tenacity. Recent advances include enzymatic synthesis methods that produce enantiomerically pure (R)-raspberry ketone, which some studies suggest has enhanced olfactory properties.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 164.20 g/mol |
|---|---|
| Boiling Point | 296 °C |
| Melting Point | 82-85 °C |
| XLogP | 1.7 |
| TPSA | 37.3 Ų |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Adds fruity lift to floral and gourmand compositions |
| Functional Fragrance | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Used in soaps and detergents for berry notes |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with citrus top notes to prevent the berry character from becoming too candied.
Alternatives & Comparisons
A purified version of raspberry ketone with more consistent olfactory properties, preferred when a cleaner berry note is desired.
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
Not restricted under IFRA standards. Listed as safe for use in current IFRA 49th Amendment.
EU Allergen Declaration
Not listed as an EU allergen. Does not require declaration under EU Cosmetics Regulation.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM has conducted a comprehensive safety assessment confirming the safe use of raspberry ketone in fragrances at current levels.
Sustainability
While naturally occurring, most commercial raspberry ketone is synthesized from petrochemical precursors. Some producers now offer bio-based versions using sustainable phenol sources. The small quantities needed make its environmental impact relatively low compared to other ingredients.
Explore Raspberry ketone
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References
- PubChem Compound Summary for CID 5281126, Raspberry ketone PubChem
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID5044495
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 164.204 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.167 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 200 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 82.375 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 123 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.535 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 150.814 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 12.363 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 1.537 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 1.532 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 8.42 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.028 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.114 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 12.483 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 40.653 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 151.8 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 37.3 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 3 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 46.979 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 18.624 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.
