Muscenone / Muscemor

Synthetic Ingredient Overview

• 🏭 Manufacturer — IFF

• 🔎 Chemical name — 3-Methyl-cyclopentadecen-1-one (E/Z isomers)

• 🧪 Synonyms — Muscenone, Muscemore, delta-Muscenone

• 🧬 Chemical Formula — C₁₆H₂₈O

• 📂 CAS N° — 82356-51-2 / 63314-79-4 / 36399-15-2

• 📘 FEMA — Not listed

• ⚖️ MW — 236.39 g/mol

• 📝 Odor type — Musk

• 📈 Odor Strength — High; long-lasting (350+ hours on blotter)

• 👃🏼 Odor Profile — Soft yet powerful musky scent with animalic nuance; reminiscent of Musk Ketone and Tonkin musk; woody notes on dilution

• 👅 Flavor Profile — Not for flavor use

• ⚗️ Uses — Enhancer at 0.05–0.5%; used at 1–5% for musky effect; adds cosmetic softness and tenacity in fine fragrance and fabric care

• 🧴 Appearance — Colorless to pale yellow liquid

What is Muscenone?

Muscenone is a synthetic macrocyclic ketone musk, structurally related to muscone and exaltolide. Its molecular form includes E/Z unsaturation, contributing to both its olfactory complexity and high tenacity. It exists under multiple CAS numbers, depending on isomeric configuration:

• (5E)-3-Methyl-5-cyclopentadecen-1-one — CAS 82356-51-2

• (4E)-3-Methyl-4-cyclopentadecen-1-one — CAS 36399-15-2

• Non-specified isomer — CAS 63314-79-4

Muscenone Delta, a particularly animalic and powerful isomer, is considered more musky-tonkin than muscone itself, and was historically evaluated as a potential replacement for natural deer musk.

Upon dilution, Muscenone develops:

• Woody powdery notes

• Less velvety tone than muscone

• Extremely persistent drydown

While expensive to produce, it remains essential in niche luxury perfumery due to its refined elegance and versatility.

Olfactory Profile and Perfumery Applications

Muscenone performs two distinct roles:

• At low concentrations (0.05–0.5%): functions as a fragrance booster, adding diffusion, smoothness, and volume without overt muskiness

• At higher levels (up to 5%): contributes a primary musk note — soft, clean, slightly animalic, with exceptional longevity

Application Highlights:

• Fine perfumery: especially in woody, floral, oriental, musky, and chypre structures

• Modern fougères and fresh masculines

• Functional fragrance: fabric, hair care, and skin-contact products

Notable formula inclusion:

• Bulgari for Men

• Frequently combined with Exaltolide, Ambrettolide, or Habanolide for smoother macrocyclic musk effects

Synergies:

• Musk T or Velvione — for boosting radiance

• Ionones or Iso & Super — for floral-woody transitions

• Tonquitone or Civetone — for musky-animalic depth

Industrial and Technical Uses

Muscenone’s substantivity profile makes it ideal for:

• Long-lasting fine fragrances

• Laundry care (especially premium detergents and conditioners)

• Fabric sprays, deodorants, and hair perfumes

• Less commonly, used in high-end candles and ambient scent systems

Fixative Role:

• Extends the wear of top and heart notes

• Anchors lighter musks or floral aldehydes

• Lends a soft, powdery after-effect on skin

Regulatory and Safety Overview

• IFRA: Not restricted in current standards (check product-specific technical sheets for guidance)

• EU Allergen Listing: Not among the 26 declarable fragrance allergens

• FEMA GRAS: Not listed for food or flavor use

• ECHA: Registered; no specific hazard classification under CLP

• Toxicology: No phototoxicity or sensitization reported under standard use; use within tested concentration ranges

• Storage: Stable in standard perfumery conditions; store in cool, sealed containers away from light

✅ Suitable for broad use across both cosmetic and fabric-contact perfumery applications.

Sources

• Perfume and Flavor Chemicals – S. Arctander, 1969

• PubChem Database – Muscenone Delta

• Fulvio Ciccolo – Scentspiracy Archive

• IFF Technical Literature

• Leffingwell & Associates – Musk Compounds Overview