Terpinolene (CAS 586-62-9) — Woody Heart Note Fragrance Ingredient
Terpinolene
CAS 586-62-9
What Is Terpinolene?
Terpinolene is a naturally occurring terpene found in conifers, citrus peels, and herbs like nutmeg. It’s commonly encountered in cleaning products, air fresheners, and some perfumes. This ingredient matters because it contributes fresh, piney, and slightly floral notes while also having antimicrobial properties that enhance product functionality.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFE
What Does Terpinolene Smell Like?
Terpinolene offers a crisp, woody-pine aroma with subtle citrus undertones. Initially bright and uplifting like a forest breeze, it evolves into a delicate floral heart. The dry-down reveals a clean, slightly herbal character reminiscent of fresh lumber and mountain air, making it ideal for fresh and natural accords.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Terpinolene enhances the fresh pine character, creating a vibrant forest-like opening that defines this classic fougère.
Used sparingly to add a crisp, natural edge to the citrus-herbal accord, complementing the rosemary and basil.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC(C)=C1CCC(C)=CC1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Terpinolene is a monoterpene hydrocarbon (C10H16) with a molecular weight of 136.24 g/mol. It’s commonly isolated from turpentine or synthesized via acid-catalyzed rearrangements of other terpenes. Its structure features a double bond that contributes to its reactivity and fresh scent profile.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 185-186 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.862 g/cm³ |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Adds freshness to citrus and fougère accords |
| Household Products | 0.5-2% | Up to 3% | Enhances clean, pine-like scents |
Classic Accords
+ Lavender + Oakmoss = Classic Fougère
Tip: Use in moderation to avoid overpowering other top notes.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Offers a sharper pine note but lacks the floral complexity of terpinolene.
Provides citrus freshness without the woody undertones.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. IFRA, REACH, EU Cosmetics Regulation standards update periodically. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating. Not legal or regulatory advice.
IFRA Status
No restrictions under current IFRA standards.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safety at typical usage levels.
Sustainability
Terpinolene can be sourced sustainably from tree resin byproducts. Synthetic production offers consistent quality with lower environmental impact than some natural extraction methods.
Explore Terpinolene
Browse essential oils and aroma compounds.
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Industry & Science Data
References
- PubChem: Terpinolene CID 11463
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Ingredient Data Sheet
CAS 586-62-9Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 136.23 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.8🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 187 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.74 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 17.8 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.0683💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -1.543💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC1=CCC(=C(C)C)CC1🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Top💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 0.5 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | citruspinesweet• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | alkene💻 RDKit |
| “Sweet-piney, oily and relatively pleasant odor of moderate to poor tenacity. Not nearly as harsh as Pinene, often slightly anisic in its sweetness, and generally free from Turpentine-like notes.”📖 Arctander | |
| Terpinolene has a sweet, pine odor with a somewhat sweet, citrus flavor.📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “The better grades Terpinolene, often re-distilled by the user, are also used in flavor compositions, mainly in Citrus and fruit blends. The concentration may be about 15 to 60 ppm in the finished product. The material is particularly suitable for Lime flavors.”📖 Arctander |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 0.0906 ppm (n=2)📖 van Gemert |
Regulatory Status
| FEMA Number | FEMA 3046⚖️ 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: DTXSID0027222
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 136.238 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.869 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 185.8 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 25 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 53.656 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.481 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 159.617 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4.456 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 4.425 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 4.425 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 4.61 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0.022 atm-m3/mole🔬 EPA CTX |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.935 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 1.256 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 26.851 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 118.884 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 | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 45.456 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 18.02 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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