Beta Methyl Naphtyl Ketone

Technical Ingredient Overview

• 🏭 Manufacturer — Symrise

• 🔎 Chemical Name — 2-Acetylnaphthalene

• 🧪 Synonyms — Beta-Methyl Naphthyl Ketone, 2-Methylnaphthyl Methyl Ketone, Oranger Crystals

• 🧬 Chemical Formula — C₁₃H₁₂O

• 📂 CAS — 93-08-3

• 📘 FEMA — 2683

• ⚖️ MW — 184.23 g/mol

• 📝 Odor Type — Sweet floral

• 📈 Odor Strength — Medium to high

• 👃🏼 Odor Profile — Warm, powdery, floral, orange-blossom, heliotropin-like, with woody and balsamic nuances

• ⚗️ Uses — Fine fragrance, soap, powder notes, floral-aldehydic accords, orange blossom reconstitution

• 🧴 Appearance — Pale yellow to white crystalline solid

What is Beta-Methyl Naphthyl Ketone?

Beta-Methyl Naphthyl Ketone, chemically known as 2-Acetylnaphthalene, is a synthetic aromatic compound extensively used in perfumery due to its warm, powdery floral character with orange blossom and heliotropin-like facets (Arctander, 1960). The compound is part of the methylated aryl ketone family and appears as a solid at room temperature, earning it the nickname Oranger Crystals in historical perfumery catalogs.

Historical Background

Although its original synthesis is not definitively attributed, Beta-Methyl Naphthyl Ketone rose to prominence in the early 20th century as perfumers sought long-lasting alternatives to natural orange flower materials. According to Arctander (1960), this material was widely used in French floral and soap compositions, appreciated for its powdery sweetness and its ability to evoke the nostalgic warmth of classic cosmetics. It became especially useful in the context of cost-effective substitution for orange flower absolute, as well as in heliotrope-themed accords (Sell, 2019).

Olfactory Profile, Main Descriptors

• Powdery

• Heliotropin-like

• Orange blossom

• Slightly woody

• Sweet and warm

Scent Family

• Floral

• Sweet

• Balsamic

Intensity & Tenacity

This material is classified as having medium-to-strong odor intensity and high tenacity, particularly effective in soap and powder applications where prolonged perception is essential (Arctander, 1960).

Applications in Fine Fragrance

Beta-Methyl Naphthyl Ketone is widely employed in:

• Orange blossom bases

• Cosmetic-powder compositions

• Heliotrope, lilac, and sweet floral accords

• Soapy aldehydic fragrances and vintage-style feminine perfumes

It blends excellently with materials such as benzyl salicylate, coumarin, vanillin, ionones, and aldehyde C12 MNA, contributing depth and warmth to floral heart notes (Sell, 2019).

Performance in Formula

• Diffusion: Medium to strong in alcohol

• Fixative role: Excellent; enhances floral trails and prolongs drydown

• Stability: Highly stable in soaps and alkaline media (Arctander, 1960)

• Compatibility: Soluble in most perfumery solvents, including alcohol and oils

Industrial & Technical Uses

Besides its role in fine perfumery, Beta-Methyl Naphthyl Ketone is also:

• Used in soap fragrance formulations due to its excellent stability under alkaline conditions

• Occasionally present in functional perfumery (e.g., talcum powders, deodorants, toilet waters)

• Registered with FEMA (No. 2683) as a flavoring substance, though rarely used in practice due to its potent odor and potential sensitization (FEMA, 2022)

Regulatory & Safety Overview

• IFRA: Not restricted under IFRA 51st Amendment, but may be subject to allergen labeling depending on the formula (IFRA, 2023)

• GHS:

  • H302 — Harmful if swallowed

  • H317 — May cause allergic skin reaction

• EU Cosmetics Regulation: Permitted; declaration required above sensitization thresholds

• REACH: Substance is registered under REACH; safety dossier available via ECHA (ECHA, 2024)

• FEMA: GRAS-listed for flavor usage under FEMA 2683, with caution in application (FEMA, 2022)

Additional Information

• Storage: Keep tightly sealed and protected from light

• Melting Point: ~45–47 °C

• Boiling Point: ~296 °C

• LogP: ~4.4, indicating high lipophilicity (PubChem, 2024)

• Solubility: Insoluble in water; soluble in ethanol, diethyl phthalate, and essential oils

References

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

• Sell, C. S. (2019). The Chemistry of Fragrances: From Perfumer to Consumer (3rd ed.). Royal Society of Chemistry.

• FEMA. (2022). Flavor Ingredient Library: FEMA No. 2683. Retrieved from https://www.femaflavor.org

• IFRA. (2023). IFRA Standards – 51st Amendment. International Fragrance Association.

• European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). (2024). Substance Infocard: 2-Acetylnaphthalene. Retrieved from https://echa.europa.eu

• PubChem. (2024). 2-Acetylnaphthalene. Retrieved from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/2-Acetylnaphthalene