Aldehyde C12 (Dodecanal)

• 🔎 Chemical name — Dodecanal

• 🧬 Chemical Formula — C₁₂H₂₄O

• 🧪 Synonyms — Lauric aldehyde, Aldehyde C12 Normal

• 📂 CAS N° — 112-54-9

• 📘 FEMA — 2402

• ⚖️ MW — 184.32 g/mol

• 📝 Odor type — Aldehydic, Floral, Waxy

• 📈 Odor Strength — High

• 👃🏼 Odor Profile — Waxy, creamy, fatty, floral, citrus-peel, green-soapy; clean and luminous with moderate to strong tenacity

• ⚗️ Uses — Adds softness and radiance in aldehydic florals, iris, powdery blends, and clean musky accords; ideal for modern and classic structures.

• 🧴 Appearance — Colorless to pale yellow liquid with a waxy, fatty-floral odor

Aldehyde C12 (Dodecanal, CAS 112-54-9)

Historical Context

Dodecanal, commonly referred to as Aldehyde C12, belongs to the family of long-chain aliphatic aldehydes that helped redefine the olfactory architecture of modern perfumery in the early 20th century. Its use became prominent in the wake of Ernest Beaux’s creation of Chanel No. 5 in 1921, which famously introduced aldehydes—particularly C10, C11, and C12—as a structural signature of modern fragrance (Morris, 1984; Sell, 2019).

While Aldehyde C12 Normal was not the principal aldehyde in Chanel No. 5 (that was Aldehyde C12 MNA), it became increasingly important in post-war perfumery as a fatty-floral modifier, prized for its ability to create radiance, lift, and a distinct sense of abstract cleanliness. In contrast to shorter-chain aldehydes that impart citrusy or ozonic freshness, Aldehyde C12 brings a waxy, creamy, floral-lactonic effect, often described as “soapy” or “sunlight on fabric” (Arctander, 1960; Wright, 2012).

Discovery and First Synthesis

Dodecanal was first characterized in the late 19th century, initially isolated from natural sources such as coriander oiland later synthesized via oxidation of lauric alcohol (dodecanol), itself derived from coconut or palm kernel oil (Burdock, 2010).

Its industrial synthesis was developed by oxidizing primary long-chain fatty alcohols (often derived from hydrogenated fatty acids) using chromium or manganese-based oxidizing agents. Later methods improved efficiency and selectivity, allowing commercial production of high-purity aldehydes (Sell, 2019).

First Uses

Its earliest recorded uses were in flavorings, imparting fatty, citrus-peel, and floral-waxy notes to formulations. In perfumery, dodecanal became a hallmark of aldehydic floral compositions in the mid-20th century, used to impart a warm, creamy brilliance to blends containing jasmine, ylang-ylang, orange blossom, and iris (Arctander, 1960). It was also used in soap bases for its detergent-like freshness and diffusion.

Production Method

Synthetic Route:

• Derived by oxidation of dodecanol (lauryl alcohol)

• Dodecanol is obtained from hydrogenation of lauric acid, typically sourced from coconut oil or palm kernel oil

• Oxidation methods include catalytic air oxidation or traditional chromic acid oxidation

Natural Occurrence:

• Found in trace amounts in essential oils such as coriander, orange, and lemongrass, though commercial use is synthetic

Olfactory Profile

• Odor Description: Waxy, creamy, fatty, floral, citrus-peel, green-soapy

• Volatility: Mid to top-middle note

• Tenacity: Moderate to strong

• Character: Clean, airy, luminous, soft yet diffusive

• Threshold: Extremely low; perceptible at ppm to ppb levels

“Mild, sweet, waxy-floral odor… more creamy than metallic.” – Arctander, 1960

Applications in Perfumery

Aldehyde C12 Normal is used in:

• Aldehydic florals: jasmine, rose, ylang-ylang, orange blossom

• Soapy or powdery blends (e.g., iris, violet, mimosa)

• Retro-modern compositions mimicking classic French perfumery

• Fougère and citrus colognes, to add radiance and enhance the top note

• White musks and clean bases, where it adds softness and projection

It is often blended with C10 and C11 aldehydes for a tailored aldehydic effect.

IFRA Status and Safety Considerations

• IFRA: Restricted under IFRA Amendment 51

  • Category 4 (fine fragrance): Max level ~0.2%

• Hazard Classification:

  • Eye and skin irritant (H315, H319)

  • Not classified as a sensitizer or carcinogen

• EU Allergen Regulation: Not among the 26 declarable allergens

Environmental & Sustainability Aspects

Dodecanal is readily biodegradable, and its synthetic pathway often utilizes renewable raw materials (e.g., coconut oil). Its environmental footprint is considered moderate to low, depending on the oxidation method used.

References

• Arctander, S. (1960). Perfume and Flavor Chemicals (Aroma Chemicals). Montclair, NJ: Author.

• Burdock, G. A. (2010). Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients (6th ed.). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.

• ECHA. (2024). Dodecanal – Substance Information. European Chemicals Agency. Retrieved from https://echa.europa.eu

• Sell, C. S. (2019). The Chemistry of Fragrances (3rd ed.). Cambridge: Royal Society of Chemistry.

• Wright, J. (2012, August 13). The waxy world of long-chain aldehydes. Perfumer & Flavorist. Retrieved from https://www.perfumerflavorist.com

• Morris, A. F. (1984). Aldehydes in perfumery. Perfumer & Flavorist, 9(2), 34–38.