What Is 2-Tridecenenitrile?
2-Tridecenenitrile is an aroma ingredient introduced to perfumery circles in the mid 1970s, when chemists looking for fresh yet tenacious citrus accents first documented its olfactory value. It is produced by adding a nitrile group to a C-13 hydrocarbon backbone, a process usually carried out through ammoxidation of tridecene derived from petrochemical feedstocks. Because the route relies on readily available raw materials, the molecule is classed as synthetic rather than naturally sourced.
At room temperature the material is a clear, free-flowing liquid. Fresh batches look almost water-white, though storage and exposure to light can give it a pale to vivid yellow tint. The liquid is light in weight, sitting comfortably below the density of water, and shows the glossy refractive sparkle common to many perfume oils. In day-to-day compounding the ingredient pours easily and blends quickly with most non-aqueous bases.
2-Tridecenenitrile finds a place in both fine fragrance and functional categories such as soaps, shampoos and candles. Its straightforward production route keeps the price accessible, so formulators can dose it generously without straining a budget. While it is not as ubiquitous as classic citrus allies like limonene, its combination of freshness and stability has earned it steady if quiet popularity among modern perfumers.
What Does 2-Tridecenenitrile Smell Like?
This molecule typically slots into the citrus family. On a test blotter the opening impression is reminiscent of freshly crushed coriander seed wrapped in bright citrus zest, with orange peel leading the way. A faint ozonic sparkle runs in the background and adds a clean airiness that stops the note from feeling overly juicy.
Perfumers talk about top, middle and base notes to explain how a scent unfolds over time. Top notes are the earliest facets you notice, middle notes form the heart and bases are the long-lasting anchors. 2-Tridecenenitrile performs mainly as an upper-middle note. It arrives quickly with the top but does not vanish when the very volatile elements fade, instead lingering to bridge into the heart of the composition.
Projection is moderate: it radiates clearly for the first hour without overwhelming nearby notes. Longevity on blotter is respectable for a citrus-leaning material, often reaching four to six hours before sliding into a gentle background whisper. This staying power makes it a useful tool when you want a citrus lift that hangs around past the initial spray.
How & Where To Use 2-Tridecenenitrile
First off, this is a friendly material to handle. It pours easily, does not evaporate in a flash and generally plays well with others, which means you can focus on creativity instead of wrestling with a temperamental oil.
Perfumers reach for 2-Tridecenenitrile when they want a zesty lift that hangs around longer than straight citrus terpenes yet still feels bright and airy. It slips neatly into orange, mandarin or grapefruit accords but also freshens herbal blends built around coriander, basil or cardamom. Because it carries a subtle ozonic edge, it can modernise fougère or marine styles without pushing them into full aquatic territory.
Typical usage sits in the traces-5 % band, with most fine fragrance formulas living between 0.2 % and 2 %. In soaps and detergents you can climb a little higher thanks to its good stability and cost profile. At low trace levels the note is a gentle sparkle that rounds off harsher citrus terpenes. Push it past 1 % and the coriander peel facet steps forward, giving more character and a soft peppery nuance. Beyond 3 % the material can dominate lighter top notes, so balance it with juicy aldehydes or softer orange oils if you still need openness.
Blending is straightforward: no special pre-dilution is required although working at 10 % in ethanol or IPM makes fine adjustments easier. The liquid is slightly lighter than water so phase separation tests are wise in very aqueous bases. Colour drift can occur over time so store finished concentrates in amber glass if you want to keep a water-white appearance.
Safety Information
Like all aroma chemicals, 2-Tridecenenitrile demands a few sensible precautions before you dive into creative work.
- Always dilute before evaluation: prepare a 10 % solution in ethanol or dipropylene glycol before smelling to avoid nasal fatigue or irritation.
- Never smell directly from the bottle: waft the scent toward your nose from a blotter or strip instead of taking a deep inhale over the opening.
- Work in a well-ventilated space: adequate airflow reduces the chance of inhaling concentrated vapours during weighing or pouring.
- Wear gloves and safety glasses: personal protective equipment helps prevent accidental skin contact or splashes to the eyes.
- Health considerations: some users may experience skin irritation or sensitisation. Seek medical advice before handling if you are pregnant or breastfeeding and remember that prolonged exposure to high concentrations can be harmful even though brief low-level contact is generally regarded as safe.
Always review the latest Material Safety Data Sheet supplied by your vendor and recheck it periodically as revisions are common. Follow current IFRA guidelines for maximum dose levels in each product type to keep both you and your end users safe.
Storage And Disposal
When kept under sensible conditions 2-Tridecenenitrile will stay within spec for roughly two to three years, though most suppliers print a conservative 24-month expiry on the label. Oxidation is the main enemy, so the cooler and darker the shelf the longer the material keeps its bright odour profile.
Refrigeration is helpful but not essential. A cupboard that stays below 20 °C and out of direct sunlight is normally enough. Keep the bottle tight and upright, never next to heat sources or on sunny windowsills where light and warmth can trigger colour shift and off notes.
Use polycone caps for both neat material and dilutions because the soft liner grips the neck and forms an excellent vapour seal. Dropper bottles look convenient yet often leak air around the pipette, so reserve them for short-term evaluation only. Try to decant into smaller bottles as your stock runs low; a full container leaves less headspace, which slows oxidation.
Label every vessel clearly with the ingredient name, concentration, date, and any safety symbols so you or anyone else can recognise the contents at a glance. A faded mystery bottle is a recipe for wasted time and potential hazards.
For disposal, never pour leftovers straight down the drain. Although the molecule is only slightly soluble in water and will eventually biodegrade, it can still place an unnecessary load on wastewater systems. Mix small quantities with an inert absorbent such as kitty litter, seal the mix in a bag and send it to a facility that handles organic chemical waste. Larger volumes should go through licensed hazardous-waste collectors. Always wipe spills with paper towels or absorbent pads, then wash the area with detergent to remove any slippery residue.
Summary
2-Tridecenenitrile is a synthetic citrus helper that smells like coriander seed blended with orange peel and a breeze of clean ozone. It gives top and upper-heart sparkle, hanging around longer than most terpenes yet costing a fraction of fancy specialty notes.
Formulators slip it into orange, mandarin, herbal or modern marine accords, but the material is relaxed enough to appear in soaps, shampoos, candles and everyday cleaners too. Stability is respectable, price is friendly and the character is distinctive without being quirky, which explains why it enjoys a quiet but steady fanbase among perfumers.
Keep oxidation in check, store it sensibly and watch the dose at higher levels, and you will find 2-Tridecenenitrile a fun tool that lifts countless blends without stealing the spotlight.