Tricosane (CAS 638-67-5) — Citrus Base Note Fragrance Ingredient
Tricosane
CAS 638-67-5
What Is Tricosane?
Tricosane is a synthetic hydrocarbon used as a fixative in perfumery. It’s found in industrial fragrances and some niche perfumes where longevity is key. Though odorless itself, it helps anchor volatile components, making scents last longer on skin. This matters because modern consumers increasingly demand fragrances that persist through daily activities without frequent reapplication.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Tricosane Smell Like?
Tricosane is virtually odorless to human noses, functioning as a silent workhorse in fragrance formulations. Its value lies not in aromatic contribution but in molecular weight – this C23 alkane acts like invisible scaffolding, slowing the evaporation of more volatile notes. In drydowns, it manifests as a subtle waxy texture that slightly rounds sharper edges.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Tricosane belongs to the n-alkane family, a straight-chain hydrocarbon with 23 carbon atoms. Industrially produced through petroleum distillation or Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, its purity makes it preferable to natural wax extracts for precision perfumery. Being fully saturated, it’s chemically inert and resistant to oxidation, contributing to fragrance stability.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 380 °C |
|---|---|
| Melting Point | 48 °C |
| Flash Point | >110 °C |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Functional Fragrances | 1-3% | Up to 5% | For detergents and air fresheners |
| Luxury Perfumes | 0.5-1.5% | Up to 2% | Base note extender |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use sparingly to avoid waxy buildup in the drydown.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Higher molecular weight alternative for even slower evaporation rates in extreme longevity formulations.
Natural-derived hydrocarbon with similar fixative properties but added skin benefits in cosmetic applications.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No IFRA restrictions. Listed as safe for all applications.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM considers tricosane safe as used in fragrance applications due to minimal systemic absorption.
Sustainability
As a petroleum derivative, tricosane raises sustainability concerns. Some manufacturers are exploring bio-based production via algae or plant wax hydrogenation. Its longevity benefit must be weighed against non-renewable sourcing in green formulations.
Explore Tricosane
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References
- PubChem Compound Summary for Tricosane CID 12591
- IFRA Standards Library Category 4
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 638-67-5Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 324.6 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 12.1🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 380.2 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 1.74 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 45 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.1041💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | 3.911💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Base💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Moderate💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 0.5 / 5💻 Calculated |
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.
Physicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID7047699
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 324.637 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.797 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 355.404 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 48.144 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 173.16 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.445 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 408.191 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 10.848 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 10.848 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 10.848 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 10.59 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | NaN mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 211.349 atm-m3/mole🔬 EPA CTX |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 6.258 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 28.188 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 147.882 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 0 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 20 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 108.605 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 43.054 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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