Alpha Pinene

• 🔎 Chemical name — Alpha-Pinene

• 🧪 Synonyms — (−)-Alpha-Pinene, 2,6,6-trimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-ene

• 🧬 Chemical Formula — C₁₀H₁₆

• 📂 CAS N° — 80-56-8

• 📘 FEMA — 2902

• ⚖️ MW — 136.23 g/mol

• 📝 Odor type — Woody, Resinous, Green

• 📈 Odor Strength — High

• 👃🏼 Odor Profile — Bright, fresh pine; resinous, slightly camphoraceous and dry woody; evokes conifer sap and forest air.

• ⚗️ Uses — Enhances woody, fougère, aromatic, and herbal accords; adds freshness and radiance to top notes; used in forest and pine accords, often as a natural-smelling green modifier.

• 🧴 Appearance — Colorless to pale yellow liquid with a characteristic pine-like scent

Alpha-Pinene (CAS 80-56-8): Nature's Woody Brightener

Introduction

Alpha-Pinene is one of the most widely occurring monoterpenes in nature, known for its crisp, pine-like aroma and its prominent role in both natural and synthetic perfumery. A major component of coniferous essential oils, alpha-pinene has shaped the olfactory identity of forest accords for centuries, and continues to find relevance in modern fragrance design.

Historical Background

Used since antiquity through turpentine and pine resins, alpha-pinene was formally isolated in the early 1800s. It gained importance during the 19th century with the rise of analytical chemistry, enabling perfumers to work with purified monoterpenes. By the 20th century, it became a cornerstone in green, aromatic, and woody formulations, offering an accessible, sustainable link to nature’s volatile language (Bruneton, 1999; Guenther, 1948).

Botanical and Chemical Origins

Alpha-pinene [(1S,5S)-2,6,6-trimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-ene] is extracted from the oleoresin of pine trees, primarily Pinus sylvestris and Pinus pinaster. It's the dominant compound in gum turpentine, making up to 60% of its volume. Due to its abundance and efficiency of extraction via steam distillation, synthetic production is rarely pursued (Guenther, 1948; Simonsen, 1947).

• Molecular Formula: C₁₀H₁₆

• Molar Mass: 136.23 g/mol

• Boiling Point: 156 °C

• Flash Point: 33 °C

• Density: ~0.858 g/cm³

Olfactory Profile

Alpha-pinene delivers a fresh, resinous, and woody aroma, closely associated with pine forests and sap.

• Top Note: Bright, green, and coniferous

• Heart: Slightly camphoraceous and terpenic

• Drydown: Soft, woody, and dry resinous

It provides lift and sparkle in compositions and is prized for its volatility and clarity in opening notes (Surburg & Panten, 2016).

Applications in Perfumery

Alpha-pinene is used both as a character-defining note and as a modifier in the following fragrance families:

• Woody: Enhances cedar, fir, and vetiver accords

• Aromatic: Found in fougères, colognes, and masculine scents

• Citrus/Herbal: Lends freshness and green contrast to sweet or floral notes

It is especially valued for creating natural-smelling pine and forest accords, or for emulating rosemary, frankincense, and eucalyptus tones.

Production Method

Alpha-pinene is obtained through fractional steam distillation of gum turpentine. After isolation, it may undergo rectification to increase purity. Because it is derived from forestry by-products, its sourcing is aligned with sustainable extraction models (Lawrence, 1995).

Safety and Stability

Alpha-pinene is a volatile compound prone to oxidation, forming sensitizing by-products like pinene oxides. Proper storage under nitrogen and away from light is essential.

• IFRA Status: Not restricted (as of Amendment 51)

• EU Allergen Declaration: Not among the 26 listed allergens

• Hazard Classifications: H226, H304, H317, H411

Alpha-pinene is readily biodegradable but classified as hazardous to aquatic life. Its environmental fate should be managed accordingly (ECHA, 2024).

Conclusion

Alpha-pinene is more than a volatile pine note—it is a molecular bridge between natural resins and the architectural structure of modern fragrance. Whether used to brighten citrus compositions, structure coniferous chords, or add authenticity to forest-inspired perfumes, alpha-pinene remains one of the most indispensable raw materials in the perfumer’s palette.

References

• Adams, R. P. (2007). Identification of essential oil components by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (4th ed.). Allured Publishing Corporation.

• Bruneton, J. (1999). Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants. Lavoisier.

• Buchbauer, G. (Ed.). (2010). Handbook of Essential Oils: Science, Technology, and Applications. CRC Press.

• ECHA. (2024). Alpha-pinene - Substance Information (CAS 80-56-8). Retrieved from https://echa.europa.eu

• Gershenzon, J., & Dudareva, N. (2007). The function of terpene natural products in the natural world. Nature Chemical Biology, 3(7), 408–414. https://doi.org/10.1038/nchembio.2007.5

• Guenther, E. (1948). The Essential Oils Vol. I–VI. Van Nostrand.

• IFRA. (2023). IFRA Standards – 51st Amendment. International Fragrance Association. Retrieved from https://ifrafragrance.org

• Lawrence, B. M. (1995). Progress in Essential Oils. Perfumer & Flavorist.

• Peyrat-Maillard, M. N., Cuvelier, M. E., & Berset, C. (2003). Antioxidant activity of alpha- and beta-pinene in a linoleic acid model system. Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society, 80(10), 1021–1026.

• Simonsen, J. L. (1947). The Terpenes (Vol. 1–5). Cambridge University Press.

• Surburg, H., & Panten, J. (2016). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials: Preparation, Properties and Uses(6th ed.). Wiley-VCH.