Lauryl alcohol (CAS 112-53-8) — Woody Base Note Fragrance Ingredient
Lauryl alcohol
CAS 112-53-8
What Is Lauryl alcohol?
Lauryl alcohol is a fatty alcohol commonly found in personal care products like shampoos and conditioners. It acts as an emollient and thickener. This ingredient matters because it provides a smooth texture and helps other ingredients mix properly, enhancing product performance.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Lauryl alcohol Smell Like?
Lauryl alcohol has a faint, waxy odor reminiscent of clean laundry or candle wax. It lacks strong aromatic characteristics, making it more functional than fragrant. Its scent is neutral and unobtrusive, blending seamlessly into formulations without overpowering other notes.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCCCCCCCCCCCO
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Lauryl alcohol is a 12-carbon fatty alcohol, part of the aliphatic alcohol family. It is typically synthesized via the reduction of lauric acid or through the Ziegler process from ethylene. Its linear structure contributes to its emollient properties and mild odor profile.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 259 °C |
|---|---|
| Melting Point | 24 °C |
| Density | 0.830 g/cm³ |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal Care | 1-5% | Up to 10% | Emollient and thickener |
| Cleaning Products | 0.5-3% | Up to 5% | Surfactant booster |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use as a base ingredient for texture enhancement rather than fragrance contribution.
Alternatives & Comparisons
A longer-chain alcohol with similar emollient properties but higher melting point.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not restricted by IFRA.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM considers lauryl alcohol safe for use in cosmetics at current levels.
Sustainability
Lauryl alcohol is typically derived from palm or coconut oil, raising concerns about sustainable sourcing. Synthetic production methods offer alternatives to reduce environmental impact.
Explore Lauryl alcohol
Browse essential oils and aroma compounds.
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References
- PubChem Compound Summary for Lauryl Alcohol CID 112-53-8
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPerfumer’s Notes
FEMA #: 2617 | IOFI #: Nature Identical
Lauryl alcohol has a characteristic fatty odor; unpleasant at high concentrations but delicate and floral on dilution. It has a fatty, waxy flavor.
Odor: [‘citrus’, ‘fatty’, ‘floral’, ‘oily’, ‘waxy’]
MW: 186.33
LogP: 5.1
Odor Threshold: 0.0070999999999999995
Ingredient Data Sheet
CAS 112-53-8Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 186.33 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 5.1🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 258.9 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.0008 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 126.7 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.0001💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -0.216💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CCCCCCCCCCCCO🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Base💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 7.2 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | citrusfattyfloralwaxy• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | alcohol💻 RDKit |
| “Very mild, oily-fatty, slightly waxy, but fresh and remotely "soapy" odor. Pure grades have a certain similarity to fragrance notes in Mimosa, Cassie, Tuberosine in the waxy-green floralness.”📖 Arctander | |
| Lauryl alcohol has a characteristic fatty odor; unpleasant at high concentrations but delicate and floral on dilution. It has a fatty, waxy flavor.📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “Insoluble in water and Glycerin, soluble in alcohol, Propylene glycol, Mineral oil and most perfume and flavor oils.”📖 Arctander |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 0.6656 ppm (n=5)📖 van Gemert |
Regulatory Status
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2617⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| GRAS Status | Generally Recognized as Safe⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| IOFI Classification | Nature Identical📖 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.
Physicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID5026918
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 186.339 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.831 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 255.339 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 24.36 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 126.938 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.441 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 224.122 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 5.15 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 5.065 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 5.065 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 8.53 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole🔬 EPA CTX |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.002 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 13.771 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 29.45 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 155.495 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 | 10 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 59.178 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 23.46 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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