Rue oil (CAS 8014-29-7) — Fragrance Ingredient Profile
Rue oil
CAS 8014-29-7
What Is Rue oil?
Rue oil is extracted from the rue plant (Ruta graveolens), a Mediterranean herb with blue-green leaves and yellow flowers. People encounter it in traditional medicines, insect repellents, and some niche perfumes. This oil matters because it carries an intensely herbal, medicinal aroma that perfumers use to create complex green accords. Its sharpness adds depth to fougère and chypre compositions.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does Rue oil Smell Like?
Rue oil bursts with an aggressively green, medicinal punch – imagine crushed pine needles soaked in bitter orange peel and rubbed with camphor. The opening is sharp and slightly fecal (from 2-undecanone), evolving into a heart of pungent herbs and damp earth. Dry-down reveals a lingering animalic musk with hints of dried hay. This oil behaves like a volatile paint thinner at first, then settles into a leathery, almost urinous base that demands careful blending.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Germaine Cellier used rue’s harsh greenness to amplify the leather accord, creating a scent that smells like a glove left in a herb garden.
The perfumer balanced rue’s medicinal edge with lavender and vanilla, producing a paradoxical fougère that still feels modern.
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Rue oil contains about 90% volatile compounds dominated by 2-undecanone (methyl nonyl ketone), which gives its characteristic pungent odor. Other significant components include limonene, pinene, and various sulfur compounds. The oil is steam-distilled from fresh flowering tops. Its phototoxicity comes primarily from furocoumarins like bergapten, though modern distillation techniques reduce these compounds. The ketonic character makes it more stable than many citrus oils but still prone to oxidation.
Chemical Composition
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Pale yellow to greenish liquid |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.83-0.86 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.430-1.440 |
Key Constituent Properties
| Constituent | CAS | MW | BP °C | XLogP | Vapor P. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Undecanone | 112-12-9 | 170.29 | 228-230 °C | 4.1 | 0.02 mmHg |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Used sparingly for green accents |
| Functional Fragrance | 0.01-0.1% | Up to 0.3% | Insect repellent formulations |
Classic Accords
Tip: Always pre-dilute to 10% in alcohol before blending to tame its aggressive opening.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Less phototoxic green alternative with similar herbaceous notes but more floral character.
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
Restricted under IFRA 49th Amendment – maximum 0.15% in leave-on products due to phototoxicity.
EU Allergen Declaration
None declared under EU Cosmetics Regulation Annex III.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM evaluation recommends restricted use due to phototoxic potential.
Sustainability
Rue is drought-resistant and grows wild in Mediterranean regions, making wild harvesting feasible. However, overharvesting for essential oil production threatens some native populations. Organic cultivation exists but represents less than 20% of supply. Synthetic 2-undecanone offers a more sustainable alternative for the dominant odorant.
Explore Rue oil
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References
- Tisserand, R. (2014). Essential Oil Safety. Elsevier. ISBN 9780443062414
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 8014-29-7Odor & Flavor
| The oil is obtained by steam distillation of the fresh blossoming plant in 0.5 to 0.8% yields. The oil has a characteristic fatty odor.📖 Fenaroli |
Regulatory Status
| IFRA Listed | Yes — see IFRA Standards for category limits⚖️ IFRA 51 |
| IOFI Classification | Natural📖 Fenaroli |
Physical 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.
