Rosemary oils, terpeneless (CAS 68917-54-4) — Green Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Rosemary oils, terpeneless
CAS 68917-54-4
What Is Rosemary oils, terpeneless?
Rosemary oil, terpeneless is a concentrated version of rosemary essential oil with certain volatile terpenes removed. You’ll encounter it in high-end perfumes, aromatherapy products, and some culinary flavorings. This matters because removing lighter terpenes creates a more stable, longer-lasting fragrance profile while reducing potential skin sensitization.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Rosemary oils, terpeneless Smell Like?
Terpeneless rosemary oil opens with an intense herbal-green punch, like crushing fresh rosemary sprigs between granite mortars. The heart reveals camphoraceous depth with subtle pine-like undertones, evolving into a warm woody-herbal drydown that lingers remarkably longer than standard rosemary oil. Imagine the aromatic persistence of dried Mediterranean herbs in a sunbaked stone kitchen.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used for its vibrant herbal character that persists throughout the fragrance’s evolution, creating an aromatic fougère effect.
Provides a crisp herbal counterpoint to the floral chypre structure, with enhanced longevity from terpene removal.
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Terpeneless rosemary oil is produced through molecular distillation or solvent extraction to remove monoterpenes like α-pinene and camphene. This concentrates oxygenated compounds like 1,8-cineole and camphor. The process increases stability by reducing components prone to oxidation while preserving the key odor molecules responsible for rosemary’s characteristic scent profile.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow liquid |
|---|---|
| Solubility | Soluble in alcohol and oils |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Herbal fougères and aromatic compositions |
| Functional Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 3% | Soaps and detergents requiring stability |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use to add naturalistic herbal depth with better stability than regular rosemary oil.
Alternatives & Comparisons
When a richer, more complex herbal profile is needed, though with less stability.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not currently restricted by IFRA. Standard rosemary oil restrictions may apply if residual terpenes remain.
EU Allergen Declaration
None when fully terpeneless; may require declaration if trace terpenes present.
RIFM Assessment
Considered safe at current usage levels by RIFM, with enhanced safety profile versus standard rosemary oil.
Sustainability
Terpeneless production reduces waste by utilizing removed terpenes in other industries. Sustainable harvesting of rosemary is crucial given Mediterranean climate challenges.
Explore Rosemary oils, terpeneless
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References
- Tisserand & Young (2014). Essential Oil Safety. Essential Oil Safety
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 68917-54-4Physical data: PubChem (NIH/NLM), U.S. EPA CompTox Dashboard, EPA OPERA models, RDKit. Odor & flavor: Arctander (Perfume & Flavor Chemicals), Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, Leffingwell. Thresholds: van Gemert (Compilations of Odour Threshold Values). Regulatory: IFRA Standards 51st, FEMA GRAS. Trade names: Surburg (Common Fragrance & Flavor Materials). All data compiled and cross-referenced for perfumertools.com.
