calone molecola molucole firmenich scentspiracy
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calone molecola molucole firmenich scentspiracy
calone-scentspiracy-white-pot-powder-FRAGRANCE-ingredient-red-cap.jpg

Calone

from €7.90

Synthetic Marine Ingredient for Perfumery

Calone® (Watermelon Ketone, CAS 28940-11-6) is a synthetic marine aroma chemical by Firmenich, a benzodioxepinone produced by chemical synthesis. It is not a natural marine extract. It has a fresh, ozonic marine odor with watermelon, green and oyster-like nuances.

Its odor strength is very high, and it can be difficult to balance in a composition. It is a crystalline solid that melts at 37.9 °C and is insoluble in water. Calone is used in marine and aquatic compositions and in lily-of-the-valley and other floral accords, in the top and heart of the formula.

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Synthetic Marine Ingredient for Perfumery

Calone® (Watermelon Ketone, CAS 28940-11-6) is a synthetic marine aroma chemical by Firmenich, a benzodioxepinone produced by chemical synthesis. It is not a natural marine extract. It has a fresh, ozonic marine odor with watermelon, green and oyster-like nuances.

Its odor strength is very high, and it can be difficult to balance in a composition. It is a crystalline solid that melts at 37.9 °C and is insoluble in water. Calone is used in marine and aquatic compositions and in lily-of-the-valley and other floral accords, in the top and heart of the formula.

Timberlove ®
€14.90

SYNTHETIC INGREDIENT OVERVIEW

  • 🏭 Manufacturer: Firmenich (Firmenich, n.d.).

  • 🔎 Chemical Name: 7-Methyl-2H-1,5-benzodioxepin-3(4H)-one (National Center for Biotechnology Information [NCBI], n.d.).

  • 🧪 Synonyms: Calone, watermelon ketone, Calone 1951 (NCBI, n.d.).

  • 📂 CAS Number: 28940-11-6 (NCBI, n.d.).

  • 🔢 EC Number: 249-320-4 (NCBI, n.d.).

  • ⚖️ Molecular Weight: 178.18 g/mol (NCBI, n.d.).

  • 🔬 Molecular Formula: C₁₀H₁₀O₃ (NCBI, n.d.).

  • 📝 Odor Type: Aquatic / marine (Firmenich, n.d.).

  • 📈 Odor Strength: Powerful; Yudov describes a strong olfactory signature that can be difficult to balance within a composition (Yudov, n.d.).

  • 👃🏼 Odor Profile: Fresh, green and ozonic, with characteristic watermelon and oyster nuances (Yudov, n.d.).

  • ⚗️ Uses: Marine and aquatic compositions; floral and lily-of-the-valley accords (Yudov, n.d.).

  • 🧴 Appearance: Crystalline powder (Firmenich, n.d.).

Additional Physical Properties

  • 🌡️ Melting Point: 37.9 °C, as reported in the April 2022 SDS (Firmenich Grasse SAS, 2022, Section 9).

  • 🔥 Boiling Point: 267 °C at 99.59 kPa, as reported in the April 2022 SDS (Firmenich Grasse SAS, 2022, Section 9).

  • 💧 Solubility: Insoluble in water according to the April 2022 SDS (Firmenich Grasse SAS, 2022, Section 9).

Perfumer's Note

Fulvio Ciccolo, perfumer at Scentspiracy, evaluated Calone neat and found its marine odor extremely intense, almost nauseating. He notes that people differ in their sensitivity to this material. Some, he reports, perceive an egg-like smell; he does not perceive that facet himself (F. Ciccolo, personal communication, October 28, 2026).

WHAT IS CALONE?

Calone is a synthetic benzodioxepinone used as a marine odorant. Firmenich identifies its production method as chemical synthesis (NCBI, n.d.; Firmenich, n.d.).

Historical Background

In his account of Calone’s discovery, Matvey Yudov credits Pfizer chemists J. J. Beereboom, D. P. Cameron and C. R. Stephens with its first synthesis in 1966. He places the work in the context of tranquilizer research involving benzodiazepine-related chemistry at Camilli, Albert & Laloue, then under Pfizer’s control (Yudov, n.d.).

Yudov explains the name as a combination of Camilli, Albert & Laloue and “ketone”, with 1951 as the compound’s internal sequence number. For roughly two decades it remained a marginal perfumery material, used in traces in floral accords, especially lily-of-the-valley (Yudov, n.d.).

The same historical account identifies Aramis New West for Her (1989) as a turning point, reporting 1.2% Calone in its composition. Yudov also reports 0.8% in Calvin Klein Escape (1991). These reported historical figures illustrate the emergence of the aquatic trend (Yudov, n.d.).

Yudov links wider adoption to the expiration of the original patent and lists commercial names including Ozeone, Aquamore and Calone 161. Calone became one of the defining materials of 1990s marine-aquatic perfumery (Yudov, n.d.).

OLFACTORY PROFILE & PERFUMERY APPLICATIONS

Calone connects a sea-breeze impression with a recognizable watery-fruity facet. Its green and oyster-like nuances distinguish it from a purely citrus freshness (Yudov, n.d.).

Tenacity: Firmenich reports two days on a smelling strip for CALONE® 918970 (Firmenich, n.d.).

Volatility / olfactory placement: Firmenich identifies top- and heart-note use in fine fragrances (Firmenich, n.d.).

Applications in Fine Fragrance

  • Marine and aquatic compositions: A defining material in the aquatic perfume family; historical examples are discussed above (Yudov, n.d.).

  • Lily-of-the-valley and oceanic florals: Early trace use in muguet and other floral accords preceded its larger role in marine perfumery (Yudov, n.d.).

INDUSTRIAL & TECHNICAL USES

Firmenich lists CALONE® 918970 for detergents, fabric softeners, soaps, all-purpose cleaners and candles, as well as shampoos and shower gels (Firmenich, n.d.).

REGULATORY & SAFETY OVERVIEW

The following information is reported in the manufacturer's April 2022 safety data sheet for CALONE 918970 (Firmenich Grasse SAS, 2022).

  • GHS/CLP classification: Skin Corrosion Category 1B (H314), Serious Eye Damage Category 1 (H318), and Specific Target Organ Toxicity — Single Exposure Category 3 (H336). Signal word: Danger; pictograms: GHS05 and GHS07 (Section 2).

  • Hazard statements: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. May cause drowsiness or dizziness (Section 2).

  • Handling and storage: Avoid breathing dust and prevent skin and eye contact. Use suitable protective gloves, clothing and eye protection. Keep the container tightly closed in a dry, well-ventilated place (Sections 7–8).

  • REACH registration number: 01-2120734453-58 (Section 1).

  • Environmental information: The SDS reports that the substance is not readily biodegradable. Do not discharge it into drains or watercourses (Sections 12–13).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Yudov describes a period of intense popularity followed by fatigue with the marine style, and reports that some perfumes were reformulated to reduce their marine freshness. This account reflects Yudov’s interpretation of the trend (Yudov, n.d.).

RELATED SCENTSPIRACY INGREDIENTS

Creative directions to explore:

  • Ambrox Super — Explore an ambergris-inspired direction alongside the marine facet.

  • Benzyl Salicylate — Explore a floral background for a marine accord.

  • Globalide 100 — Explore a musky direction for a clean marine accord.

  • Galaxolide — Explore a softer musky counterpoint to the ozonic facet.

FAQs

Is Calone a natural marine extract?

No. Firmenich identifies it as a fragrance ingredient produced by chemical synthesis (Firmenich, n.d.).

Why is Calone associated with 1990s perfumery?

Its prominent use in early aquatic compositions helped establish the marine fragrance style of that decade (Yudov, n.d.).

References