(E)-.beta.-Ionone (CAS 79-77-6) — Floral Heart Note Fragrance Ingredient
(E)-.beta.-Ionone
CAS 79-77-6
What Is (E)-.beta.-Ionone?
(E)-β-Ionone is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with a rich, woody-violet aroma. It’s commonly found in perfumes, soaps, and candles. This compound is prized for its ability to enhance floral and fruity notes while adding depth to woody accords.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does (E)-.beta.-Ionone Smell Like?
(E)-β-Ionone opens with a burst of violet-like sweetness, reminiscent of crushed berries and fresh violets. The heart evolves into a smooth, woody character with hints of raspberry jam and cedar. The dry-down is warm and slightly powdery, like expensive violet-scented stationery left in a sunlit wooden drawer.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used to create the signature violet-woody accord that defines this classic fragrance.
Provides the candied violet effect that makes this fragrance instantly recognizable.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC(=O)\C=C\C1=C(C)CCCC1(C)C
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
(E)-β-Ionone is a cyclic ketone belonging to the ionone family, which are derived from carotenoids. It’s synthesized through acid-catalyzed cyclization of pseudoionone. The (E)-configuration at the double bond is crucial for its characteristic odor profile.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 266 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.933 g/cm³ |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Adds violet-woody character |
| Soap | 0.5-1% | Up to 2% | Stable in alkaline conditions |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with ionones to enhance violet effects or with woody notes for depth.
Alternatives & Comparisons
More floral and less woody, used when a softer violet character is desired.
More powdery and orris-like, for sophisticated violet-iris effects.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not restricted by IFRA.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safe use at current levels in fragrance applications.
Sustainability
Synthetic production avoids agricultural impacts. Current manufacturing processes have relatively low environmental footprint compared to natural violet extraction.
Explore (E)-.beta.-Ionone
Browse essential oils and aroma compounds.
Browse on iHerb →Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
References
- Burdock, G.A. (2010). Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. CRC Press.
- PubChem CID 638014 PubChem
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 79-77-6Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 192.3 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.9🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 140 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.054 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 112.8 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.0042💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -1.814💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC1=C(C(CCC1)(C)C)C=CC(=O)C🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Top💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 2.3 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | fruityvioletwoody• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | ketonealkene💻 RDKit |
| “"fruity" note. Not all perfumers find it fruity, and the general preference for one Ionone over the other as a perfume material also seems to vary. The common viewpoint is that beta-Ionone resembles Cedarwood and has a Raspberry-like undertone, while alpha-Ionone is the more typical Violet odor, sweeter, and less green than the beta-isomer.”📖 Arctander | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “beta-Ionone is used in perfumery although not to the same extent as alpha-Ionone. The high production figures published in annual statistics for beta-Ionone include the amounts used in the Vitamin A industry, amounts which may exceed the net volume used in perfumes and flavors. It finds its way more”📖 Arctander |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 0 ppm📖 van Gemert |
Regulatory Status
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2595⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| GRAS Status | Generally Recognized as Safe⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
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: DTXSID4021769
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 192.302 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.945 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 266.05 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -44.333 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 126 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.518 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 203.651 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 3.882 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 3.882 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 6.56 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.001 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.054 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Surface Tension | 32.901 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 17.07 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 61.704 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 24.461 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.
Related Research
- Isopulegyl acetate (CAS 57576-09-07) — Green Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
- Methyl ester of rosin (partially hydrogenated) (CAS 8050-15-5) — Woody Base Note Fragrance Ingredient
- Benzoin Resinoid (CAS 9000-05-09) — Balsamic Base Note Fragrance Ingredient
- Phenol, 4-chloro-3,5-dimethyl- (CAS 88-04-0) — Balsamic Base Note Fragrance Ingredient
![Benzenesulfonic acid, 2-[(9,10-dihydro-4-hydroxy-9,10-dioxo-1-anthracenyl)amino]-5-methyl-, monosodium salt (CAS 4430-18-6) — Citrus N/A Note Fragrance Ingredient](https://thegoodscents.company/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/benzenesulfonic-acid-2-1-1-768x439.webp)
![Methyl 2-[[3-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-methyl-1-propenyl]amino]benzoate (CAS 104037-85-6) — Floral Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient](https://thegoodscents.company/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/methyl-2-3-1-1-768x439.webp)