Sclareolide (CAS 564-20-5) — Woody Base Note Fragrance Ingredient
Sclareolide
CAS 564-20-5
What Is Sclareolide?
Sclareolide is a synthetic fragrance compound prized for its ambery, woody character with subtle tobacco undertones. It’s commonly found in masculine fragrances and luxury scents. This ingredient adds depth and longevity to perfumes, creating a sophisticated dry-down that lingers on skin for hours.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Sclareolide Smell Like?
Sclareolide unfolds with an initial crisp, slightly herbaceous edge that quickly softens into a warm ambery heart. Imagine sun-warmed hay bales beside a cedar wardrobe, with whispers of dried tobacco leaves in an old library. The dry-down reveals a sophisticated muskiness reminiscent of well-aged parchment, persisting with remarkable tenacity. Its character evolves from bright to contemplative, making it ideal for fragrances requiring intellectual depth.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used here to recreate the scent of a bespoke tailor’s shop, blending with beeswax and metallic notes for a textural, masculine dry-down.
Provides the tobacco-leaf illusion without actual tobacco, pairing with vanilla and dried fruits for a luxurious gourmand effect.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: C[C@@]12CC[C@H]3C(C)(C)CCC[C@]3(C)[C@H]1CC(=O)O2
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Sclareolide is a macrocyclic lactone derived from sclareol, typically synthesized through oxidation processes. Its large 12-membered ring structure contributes to exceptional stability and longevity in fragrance applications. The molecule’s rigidity allows for precise odor characteristics, while its lipophilic nature ensures excellent skin adherence. Modern production often involves biotechnological methods for improved sustainability.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
|---|---|
| Melting Point | 95-98 °C |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Powerful fixative |
| Home Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 7% | Adds warmth to diffuser blends |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with ionones to create sophisticated tobacco illusions without regulatory concerns.
Alternatives & Comparisons
When a cleaner, more diffusive amber character is desired, though lacks sclareolide’s tobacco nuances.
For ultra-dry woody effects, but much more potent requiring careful dosage.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not restricted under current IFRA standards (Amendment 49).
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safe use at current industry levels.
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, sclareolide production avoids agricultural land use. Modern synthesis routes increasingly employ green chemistry principles, reducing solvent waste. Its potency means minimal quantities are needed per formulation, lowering overall environmental impact compared to some natural alternatives.
Explore Sclareolide
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References
- Bauer et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH. ISBN 978-3-527-30617-2
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 564-20-5Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 250.38 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4.3🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 291 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 132.4 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -1.174💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC1(CCCC2(C1CCC3(C2CC(=O)O3)C)C)C🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Base💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Functional Groups | esterether💻 RDKit |
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: DTXSID8047686
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 250.382 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.603 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 307.874 °C📊 OPERA |
| Melting Point | 123 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 139.773 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.49 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 248.117 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 0.55 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 4.07 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 4.07 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 8.41 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Surface Tension | 32.564 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 26.3 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 71.721 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 28.432 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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