ScenTree, la nouvelle encyclopédie des ingrédients de parfum.

Exploring the branches of scent

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Crédits photo: ScenTree SAS

CAS number :

127-41-3

EINECS number :

204-841-6

FEMA number :

2594

JECFA number :

388

FLAVIS number :

07.007

Volatility :

Heart/Base

Appearance :

Colorless liquid

Price Range :

€€

Stability :

Unstable in very acidic, except fabric conditioners, and very alkaline products

Density :

0.927

Molecular formula :

C₁₃H₂₀O

Molecular Weight :

192.3 g/mol

Flash Point :

201.2°F (94°C)

Log P :

3.9

Fusion Point :

Data not available.

Boiling Point :

501.8°F (261°C)

Detection Threshold :

Between 0.6 to 10 ppb (0.000001%) according to people smelling it

Crédits photo: ScenTree SAS

Year of discovery :

This discovery was made in 1896 starting from Irones, isolated from orris butter. Ionones were discovered randomly, when a laboratory assistant added sulfuric acid to dishwash a glass containing a wrong intermediary to irone synthesis.

Synthesis route :

Nowadays, the synthesis of Ionones is made from Citral, by reaction with acetone. The category of compounds obtained is called Pseudoionone. The cyclization of Pseudoionones into Ionones is done in an acid medium. Phosphoric acid is the most preferable acid for synthesizing alpha-Ionone. The yield of this cyclization is 80% in favor of alpha-Ionone. In general, each ionone synthesis results in the formation of isomers of the desired molecule. In the case of alpha-Ionone, about 85% purity can be achieved on an industrial scale.

Synthesis precursor :

alpha-Ionone is a precursor to the synthesis of Dihydro-alpha-ionone.

Isomerism :

Alpha-Ionone is obtained during the cyclization step of the pseudoionone, using sulfuric acid instead of phosphoric acid, in a catalytic amount. Gamma-Ionone is obtained by using boron trifluoride as a catalyst. Alpha-Damascone® and Beta-Damascone® are positional isomers of Ionones. Their ketone function as well as a methyl group are in different parts of the molecule. Their smell is modified: Damascone® have a smell of cooked apple instead of violet.

Natural availability :

Alpha-Ionone is present in a few rare natural ingredients. In most cases, it is synthetic alpha-Ionone that is used in perfumery.

Allergens :

This ingredient does not contain any allergen.

For more information on allergens used in perfumery, please consult our article about allergens

IFRA :

This ingredient is not restricted

Maximum usage according to the product category :
Ingredients containing
Ingredient Name	CAS N°	Estimated Concentration

Cat.1	Cat.2	Cat.3	Cat.4	Cat.5	Cat.6	Cat.7	Cat.8	Cat.9	Cat.10	Cat.11
2 %	2,59 %	10,56 %	31,67 %	16,67 %	50,72 %	5,3 %	2 %	5 %	2,5 %	Not restricted

Skin contact products	Non skin contact products
Leave on products	Rinse off products

List of natural ingredients containing the material presented here
Ingredient Name	Botanical Name	CAS N°	Estimated Concentration

Maximum usage according to the product category :
Ingredients containing
Ingredient Name	CAS N°	Estimated Concentration

Cat.1	Cat.2	Cat.3	Cat.4	Cat.5A	Cat.5B	Cat.5C	Cat.5D	Cat.6
5,4 %	1,6 %	32 %	30 %	7,6 %	7,6 %	7,6 %	7,6 %	18 %
Cat.7A	Cat.7B	Cat.8	Cat.9	Cat.10A	Cat.10B	Cat.11A	Cat.11B	Cat.12
61 %	61 %	3,2 %	59 %	100 %	100 %	100 %	100 %	Not restricted

List of natural ingredients containing the material presented here
Ingredient Name	Botanical Name	CAS N°	Estimated Concentration

To learn more about IFRA's standards : https://ifrafragrance.org/safe-use/library
To find out the specificities of each category and the ingredients prohibited by IFRA, click article about l'IFRA
ScenTree is solely responsible for the information provided here.

Uses in perfumery :

Alpha-Ionone is used in raspberry and floral notes of violet, orris root, rose, or carnation, for a floral-fruity and powdery facet.

Other names :

α-Irisone®, (E)-4-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohex-2-enyl)but-3-en-2-one, alphaline 70, 4-(2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-yl)-3-buten-2-one, trans-alpha-cyclocitrylidene acetone, ionanthem, (3E)-4-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-2-enyl)but-3-en-2-one

Other comments :

Alpha-Ionone is more floral-violet and sweeter than beta-Ionone, which is woodier. Gamma-Ionone is quite woody and resinous. The first use of Alpha-Ionone in perfumery was in 1893, in Vera Violetta, by Roger et Gallet.

Exploring the branches of scent

Year of discovery :

This discovery was made in 1896 starting from Irones, isolated from orris butter. Ionones were discovered randomly, when a laboratory assistant added sulfuric acid to dishwash a glass containing a wrong intermediary to irone synthesis.

Synthesis route :

Synthesis precursor :

alpha-Ionone is a precursor to the synthesis of Dihydro-alpha-ionone.

Isomerism :

Natural availability :

Alpha-Ionone is present in a few rare natural ingredients. In most cases, it is synthetic alpha-Ionone that is used in perfumery.

Allergens :

This ingredient does not contain any allergen.

Annexe I :

Restriction type :

RESTRICTION QRA

Cause of restriction :

DERMAL SENSITIZATION

Amendment :

48

Comments :

The above limits apply to Methyl ionone isomers used individually or in combination. Pseudo methyl ionones (CAS numbers 26651-96-7, 72968-25-3, 1117-41-5) should not be used as fragrance ingredient as such. A level of up to 2% of Pseudo methyl ionones as an impurity in Methyl ionones is accepted.

Quantitative usage limits :

Annexe I :

Annexe I :

Restriction type :

Cause of restriction :

DERMAL SENSITIZATION

Amendment :

49

Comments :

The above limits apply to Methyl ionone isomers used individually or in combination. Pseudo methyl ionones (CAS numbers 26651-96-7, 72968-25-3, 1117-41-5) should not be used as fragrance ingredient as such. A level of up to 2% of Pseudo methyl ionones as an impurity in Methyl ionones is accepted.

Quantitative limit on the use :

Annexe I :