Terpineol

Synthetic Ingredient Overview

• 🏭 Manufacturer: Industrial synthesis from α-pinene

• 🔎 IUPAC Name: 2-(4-Methyl-1-cyclohex-3-enyl)propan-2-ol

• 🧪 Synonyms: α-Terpineol, β-Terpineol, γ-Terpineol

• 🧬 Chemical Formula: C₁₀H₁₈O

• 📂 CAS N°: 98-55-5 (α), 138-87-4 (β), 586-81-2 (γ)

• 📘 FEMA: 3049

• ⚖️ Molecular Weight: 154.25 g/mol

• 📝 Odor Type: Fresh (Terpenic)

• 📈 Odor Strength: Medium – ~20 hrs on strip

• 👃🏼 Odor Profile: Clean, fresh, lilac, terpenic, with dirty undertone and citrus-soapy character

• 👅 Flavor Profile: Citrus, lemon-lime, woody, soapy

• ⚗️ Uses: Terpenic modifier, floral booster, pine/fougère core, flavoring in citrus, coffee, tomato, and apple accords

• 🧴 Appearance: Colorless to pale liquid (α-isomer)

What is Terpineol?

Terpineol refers to a family of cyclic monoterpene alcohols with isomeric forms (α, β, γ), typically derived from the hydration of α-pinene, a major constituent of turpentine. These alcohols occur naturally in pine, petitgrain, and cajuput oil, but most commercial material is semi-synthetic.

The most widely used isomer, α-Terpineol, features a lilac-like floral scent, useful in both fragrance and flavor applications. It serves as a clean floral top note with body, bridging citrus openings to green or floral hearts.

Olfactory Profile & Perfumery Applications

Position in Fragrance Structure: Top-to-heart

👃🏼 Detailed Breakdown:

• Top: Terpenic citrus-clean (lemon-lime nuance)

• Heart: Lilac, floral-green, faintly soapy

• Base: Light balsamic dryout with residual cleanness

⚗️ Functional Use:

• Floral systems: Core modifier in lilac, muguet, neroli, peony-type florals

• Fougères and pine accords: Supports coniferous sharpness in masculine structures

• Household and detergent perfumery: Signature “clean” note

• Low-cost soap base construction: Compatible with aldehydes, coumarins, ionones

🔬 Effective in combination with:

• Linalool, citronellol (adds floralcy)

• Lemon oil, d-limonene (reinforces citrus)

• Isobornyl acetate, pine oil (coniferous elevation)

• Coumarin, oakmoss, methylionones (fougère bases)

Industrial & Technical Uses

• Fine Fragrance: Occasionally used in retro-style florals or green florals

• Functional Fragrance: Widely applied in soaps, detergents, air care

• Flavor Use (FEMA 3049):

  • Fruit (apple, lemon, peach)

  • Beverage and spice modifiers

  • Used in flavor types like coffee, tomato, citrus

• Pharmaceutical/Cosmetic: Exhibits antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory activity; acts as a penetration enhancer

Regulatory & Safety Overview

• IFRA: Not restricted under current IFRA 51st Amendment

• EU Allergens: Not listed among 26 declarable allergens (verify trace levels)

• FEMA GRAS: FEMA 3049 – approved for flavor use

• ECHA (REACH): Registered and not classified as hazardous

• Toxicology:

  • Low irritancy under normal usage

  • Biodegradable

  • No evidence of phototoxicity or sensitization at normal perfumery dosage

✅ Considered safe in fragrance, cosmetic, and food use when compliant with IFRA/FEMA guidelines.

Sources

• Adams, R. P. – Identification of Essential Oil Components by GC/MS

• FEMA GRAS Database – Terpineol (3049)

• ECHA Substance Information – 98-55-5

• Poucher's Perfumes, Cosmetics and Soaps – 10th ed.

• Internal evaluation – Scentspiracy Team, Fulvio Ciccolo 2023