Ysamber K

Synthetic Ingredient Overview

• 🏭 Manufacturer: Symrise

• 🔎 Chemical Name: 1',1',5',5'-Tetramethylhexahydro-spiro[1,3-dioxolane-2,8'(5'H)-2H-2,4a-methanonaphthalene]

• 🧪 Synonyms: Ysamber K

• 🧬 Chemical Formula: C₁₇H₂₈O₂

• 📂 CAS N°: 154171-77-4 / 154171-76-3

• 📘 FEMA: Not applicable

• ⚖️ MW: 264 g/mol

• 📝 Odor Type: Woody, Wood-Amber, Cedarwood

• 📈 Odor Strength: High; tenacity ~400 hours on strip

• 👃🏼 Odor Profile: Diffusive dry woody-amber; clean cedarwood and fruity undertones. Some users may experience partial or total anosmia.

• ⚗️ Uses: Pillar material in woody bases; enhances citrus top notes; versatile in ambery, fresh-woody accords

• 🧴 Appearance: Colorless to light yellow liquid to solid

• 🔥 Flashpoint: > 100 °C

• 🥵 Boiling Point: 304.6 °C

• ⚗️ GC Purity: ≥ 95% (sum of isomers)

• 🔬 Log P: 6.00

• ♻️ Renewable Factor: 88%

• ♻️ Biodegradability: 59% (inherently biodegradable)

What is Ysamber K?

Ysamber K is an acetal-based fragrance molecule developed by Symrise, introduced at Simppar 2022. Its structure belongs to the broader family of spirocyclic acetals—engineered for both odor quality and environmental performance. It was discussed in detail by Dr. Marcus Eh, VP of Global Marketing (Aroma Molecules), and Fulvio Ciccolo of Scentspiracy.

Olfactively, it belongs to the same macro-family as Iso E Super, but adds a drier, sharper ambery facet and a notably higher diffusivity. It acts as a "pillar material", forming the core structure of woody-amber compositions while offering excellent compatibility with citrus top notes, making it useful in modern fougères and woody florals.

📄 For detailed technical specifications, refer to the official Symrise datasheet:
https://oriole-leopard-b2ca.squarespace.com/s/Symrise-Ysamber-K-datasheet.pdf

Olfactory Profile & Perfumery Applications

Key Odor Aspects (in decreasing order):
Woody → Wood-Amber → Cedarwood → Fruity

Perfumery Behavior:

• Extremely diffusive and long-lasting (10+ days on strip)

• Smooth and clean with little harshness

• Dry, with an ambery-cedarwood finish

• Ideal for woody-amber bases, clean laundry-like scents, or as an Iso E Super enhancer

Functional Roles:

• Pillar material in modern woody accords

• Modifier for citrus and fruity top notes

• Volume enhancer with low color impact

• Often used at 1–10% concentration in concentrate

Recommended Pairings:

• Citrus aldehydes and hesperidic oils (Bergamot, Grapefruit)

• Woody synthetics (Iso E Super, Cedarwood Acetate)

• Soft musks and floral bases (especially transparent white florals)

• Green herbals (Tarragon, Basil) for complex, naturalistic blends

Sustainability & Technical Performance

Ysamber K aligns with Symrise’s sustainability strategy through its high renewable carbon content (88%) and good biodegradability (59%). This makes it an ideal candidate for eco-conscious fragrance development in both fine fragrance and consumer product applications.

Its high thermal and pH stability makes it suitable for:

• Fabric softeners

• Detergents

• Soaps and body care

• Long-lasting skin fragrances

Regulatory & Safety Overview

• IFRA 51st Amendment: No restriction listed

• EU Allergens (Annex III): Not listed

• FEMA GRAS: Not applicable

• ECHA REACH: Not classified as hazardous

• Safety Note: No known dermal sensitization or phototoxicity at recommended levels

✅ Considered safe under standard perfumery concentrations and conditions of use.

Conclusion

Ysamber K is a modern solution for perfumers aiming to expand their woody-amber palette with a material that offers sustainability, stability, and olfactory clarity. Its high diffusion, compatibility with citrus and cedar-based ingredients, and ambery-woody signature make it a standout in both creative and functional fragrance formulation. For sustainable olfactory architecture that balances impact with renewability, Ysamber K offers a compelling pillar for the next generation of fragrance design.

Sources

• Symrise Ysamber K Datasheet

• Scentspiracy Team interview with Dr. Marcus Eh, Simppar 2022

• Perfume and Flavor Chemistry References (Fulvio Ciccolo Archive)

• PubChem Compound Summary for CID