What Is Neofolione?
Neofolione is a synthetic aroma material created to give a vivid green freshness to perfumes, home fragrances and functional products. It was first introduced by Givaudan, one of the largest flavour and fragrance houses, yet other suppliers now offer their own grades that follow the same chemical blueprint.
The material is produced through modern organic synthesis that starts with plant-derived raw materials. This route allows more than half of the carbon atoms in the molecule to come from renewable sources, helping it fit into many brands’ sustainability briefs. The process is relatively straightforward which helps keep production consistent and reliable.
At room temperature Neofolione appears as a clear to very slightly yellow liquid and pours easily. Its scent strength is high so even small amounts can alter a formula. Perfumers reach for it whenever they need natural-smelling leafy facets or to replace the long-established ingredient Folione.
Neofolione enjoys broad use in fine fragrance, fabric care and air care. You will find it in modern fougères, floral bouquets, sporty colognes and in laundry detergents that promise lasting freshness. When stored tightly closed in a cool place away from light and oxygen it keeps its full odour quality for roughly two years before a gradual loss of brightness may be noticed.
From a cost perspective it sits in the mid-range of green notes. It is neither a luxury captive nor a commodity base note which makes it attractive for both prestige perfume and mass-market products.
Neofolione’s Scent Description
Perfumers file Neofolione under the green family. Smelled on a blotter it opens with a snap of crushed leaves that instantly evokes freshly mown lawn. Within seconds a cool watery nuance rises, almost like sliced cucumber mixed with violet leaf. As the minutes pass a light floral tone peeks through, hinting at lily of the valley and giving the material a gentle elegance rather than raw vegetation.
In the traditional perfume pyramid top notes give the first impression, middle notes form the heart and base notes linger the longest. Neofolione bridges the top and middle. It flashes out early to announce greenery yet it also persists long enough to knit into the floral core of a composition. On its own the note stays noticeable on a blotter for around sixteen hours before fading to a soft leafy whisper.
Projection is strong in the first hour so a trace can overhaul an accord if used carelessly. Once the brighter facets settle the material continues to waft a clean green aura that diffuses well in air and holds its character through many wash cycles when used in fabric care.
How & Where To Use Neofolione
Perfumers reach for Neofolione when a composition needs a quick shot of natural greenery that feels more nuanced than straight cis-3-hexenol yet less metallic than hexyl acetate. It excels at lifting violet, cyclamen and muguet accords, giving them a freshly cut leaf edge without pushing the blend into sharp territory. Used alongside galbanum or leaf alcohol it widens the green spectrum, while paired with soft musks it can transform a formula into a breezy linen effect.
Typical inclusion sits between 0.05% and 2% of the finished concentrate, although traces can be enough in delicate florals and up to 5% is possible in functional products where bloom is critical. At very low levels it reads as watery grass. Increase the dose and the floral violet nuance grows, then past roughly 3% the note becomes aggressively leafy and can overshadow petals and fruits. Overuse may also introduce a faint fatty undertone that feels out of place in sheer perfumes.
Neofolione performs brilliantly in soaps, shampoos and fabric conditioners where its tenacity on wet substrates keeps the wash cycle smelling airy. It also survives high pH cleaning bases which makes it valuable in detergents. The one arena where it struggles is candle wax; burn tests show good throw but the molecule can degrade, so a stabiliser or antioxidant may be needed.
Before weighing, many perfumers prepare a 10% solution in ethanol or dipropylene glycol. This tames its volatility, allows for finer dosing and reduces the risk of accidental over-spiking. If you plan to blend with highly polar materials, pre mixing a small trial batch is wise because slight haze can appear at low temperatures.
Keep pipettes dedicated to green notes, as Neofolione clings to plastic and can migrate into subsequent blends. Wipe down scales and funnels promptly to avoid cross contamination. Follow these small habits and the material will reward you with consistent, sparkling freshness.
Safely Using Neofolione
Dilution is key, so always make a working solution before evaluating Neofolione on a blotter. Avoid direct sniffing from the bottle since the undiluted vapour can overwhelm the nose and irritate mucous membranes. Work in a well ventilated space to disperse any lingering fumes. Gloves and safety glasses provide a basic barrier that keeps accidental splashes from skin and eyes.
Like many esters Neofolione can provoke mild skin irritation or in rare cases an allergic response. Wash any contact area with soap and water then monitor for redness. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding consult a medical professional before routine exposure, even though casual work at low levels is generally considered safe.
Short smelling sessions with dilute solutions pose minimal risk, yet prolonged handling of high concentrations can lead to headaches or respiratory discomfort. Keep containers closed when not in use and label dilutions with date and strength so they are not mistaken for weaker materials.
Always refer to the latest Material Safety Data Sheet supplied by your vendor, as formulation guidelines and hazard classifications are updated regularly. Cross check your intended dose with current IFRA standards for the product category you are working on to ensure consumer safety and regulatory compliance.
How To Store & Dispose of Neofolione
Keep Neofolione in tightly sealed bottles placed in a cool dark cupboard away from radiators or direct sunlight. Refrigeration is optional yet helpful if you buy in bulk or live in a warm climate as lower temperatures slow oxidation and lengthen shelf life. Whatever storage temperature you choose allow the bottle to reach room temperature before opening to prevent moisture from condensing inside.
Use caps with polycone liners for both neat material and dilutions because they flex to create a secure vapour-tight seal. Avoid glass dropper bottles since their rubber bulbs breathe air in and out each time you squeeze, accelerating degradation. Try to store the liquid in containers that are as full as practical so less oxygen sits above the surface. If you transfer a small amount into a working vial flush the headspace with nitrogen or argon when possible and record the transfer date.
Label every container clearly with “Neofolione,” the concentration, date and hazard symbols from your supplier’s SDS. Good labeling prevents mix-ups and makes future inventory checks quicker.
When a batch has oxidised or you simply need to discard leftovers, do not pour concentrated Neofolione down the drain. Although the molecule is readily biodegradable it has aquatic toxicity at higher levels. Small hobbyist quantities can be diluted at least 100-fold with warm soapy water then flushed while running plenty of additional water. Larger volumes should go to a local hazardous waste center or be collected by a licensed disposal service. Rinse empty bottles with solvent or detergent, let them dry, then recycle or dispose of them according to local regulations.
Summary
Neofolione is Givaudan’s fresh green ester that smells like crushed leaves with a gentle violet nuance. It livens up florals, soaps and detergents at doses as low as a trace and rarely higher than 2 percent in fine fragrance. The note is specific and impactful so a light touch keeps it from overwhelming delicate accords.
Perfumers value its stability in high-pH bases, moderate cost and ability to merge smoothly with other green materials. It lasts around sixteen hours on a blotter yet stays polite on skin making it a versatile top-to-heart booster rather than a tenacious base.
Always store it cool and sealed, watch for oxidation and remember that concentrated material needs careful handling despite its good biodegradability rating. Commercial volumes come directly from Givaudan or authorized distributors while smaller amounts can be sourced from specialty aroma shops and generic suppliers who list it under methyl 2-nonenoate or its CAS numbers.