Tetrahydromyrcenol (CAS 18479-57-7) — Citrus Top to middle Note Fragrance Ingredient

Citrus · Woody

Tetrahydromyrcenol

CAS 18479-57-7

Origin
synthetic
Note
Top to middle
IFRA
Generally safe
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is Tetrahydromyrcenol?

Tetrahydromyrcenol is a synthetic fragrance ingredient commonly found in modern perfumes and body care products. It provides a fresh, citrusy-woody scent that enhances shower gels, deodorants, and light colognes. This versatile molecule matters because it bridges citrus freshness with subtle woody depth, creating gender-neutral appeal in functional fragrances where lasting power is needed without heaviness.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
IFRA compliant at standard usage levels
Check individual product formulations
CAS
18479-57-7
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Citrus · Woody
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Tetrahydromyrcenol Smell Like?

Tetrahydromyrcenol opens with a crisp, almost metallic citrus burst reminiscent of freshly peeled grapefruit rind. As it evolves, the sharpness softens into a rounded woody character – imagine young sapling sap meeting polished cedar panels. The dry-down reveals a clean muskiness akin to sun-warmed skin after swimming in a pine-fringed lake. Unlike traditional citrus notes, it maintains remarkable tenacity on skin while avoiding any soapy or harsh tonalities.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Cool Water(Davidoff, 1988)

Used as a synthetic alternative to traditional citrus top notes, providing longer-lasting freshness that blends seamlessly with the aquatic and woody accords.

L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme(Issey Miyake, 1994)

Employed for its ability to bridge citrus and woody elements, creating the fragrance’s signature water-tinged freshness with unusual persistence.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

2,6-Dimethyloctan-2-ol

SMILES: CCC(C)CCCC(C)(C)O

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

Tetrahydromyrcenol is a monoterpenoid alcohol synthesized from myrcene. The hydrogenation process creates a more stable molecule compared to its natural terpene counterparts. While not found in nature, it structurally resembles components of petitgrain and hops. The saturated form eliminates photoinstability issues common to citrus terpenes while maintaining desirable olfactory properties.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling Point198 °C
Density0.865 g/cm³

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Top to middle
Volatility
Medium (2-4 hours)
Blending
Excellent
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance5-15%Up to 20%Fresh woody-citrus core
Functional Products1-5%Up to 10%Long-lasting freshness

Classic Accords

Tip: Use to extend citrus top notes while adding subtle woody complexity without darkening the fragrance profile.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Myrcenol CAS 543-39-5

The unsaturated precursor, offering brighter citrus character but with less stability and higher volatility.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.

IFRA Status

No current IFRA restrictions. Compliant under all categories.

RIFM Assessment

RIFM assessment confirms safe use at current industry levels.

Sustainability

As a synthetic material, Tetrahydromyrcenol reduces pressure on natural citrus oil production. Modern synthesis routes achieve high atom efficiency with minimal hazardous byproducts. The long-lasting character means lower quantities are needed compared to natural citrus oils.

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References

  1. Bauer, K. et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH. ISBN 978-3-527-30656-9

Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.

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Physicochemical Properties

DTXSID: DTXSID0044810

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight 158.285 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
Density 0.827 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX
Boiling Point 201.9 °C🔬 EPA CTX
Melting Point -26.011 °C📊 OPERA
Flash Point 72 °C🔬 EPA CTX
Refractive Index 1.434 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
Molar Volume 191.534 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 3.2 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX
LogD (pH 5.5) 3.456 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 7.4) 3.456 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 6.42 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
Water Solubility 0.002 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX
Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

Transport Properties

Vapor Pressure 0.07 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX
Viscosity 5.199 cP📊 OPERA
Surface Tension 26.372 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
Thermal Conductivity 137.127 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 5 count💻 Computed
Aromatic Rings 0 count💻 Computed
Molar Refractivity 49.837 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
Polarizability 19.757 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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