What Is Orcinyl 3?
Orcinyl 3 is a synthetic aroma chemical prized for its rich leather vibe that echoes the natural depth of oakmoss. Givaudan first brought it to market, yet many fragrance houses now offer near-identical versions under different trade names. The molecule is produced through standard aromatic chemistry, starting from simple phenolic building blocks that are refined and crystallised into a high-purity powder.
At room temperature the material appears as a bright white powder with a fine, almost talc-like texture. It dissolves easily in alcohol and most common perfume solvents which makes batching straightforward at both lab and factory scale.
Usage is fairly widespread in modern perfumery, especially in chypre, leather, fougère and tobacco accords where a mossy undertone is needed without triggering oakmoss restrictions. Although valued for its impact it is not considered a high-ticket ingredient which keeps it accessible for niche and mainstream brands alike.
When stored in a cool dark place with the cap tightly sealed, Orcinyl 3 stays perfectly workable for roughly two to three years before any noticeable drop in strength. Oxidation is slow thanks to its low vapour pressure and solid form, so it keeps better than many liquid ingredients.
Orcinyl 3’s Scent Description
This molecule sits squarely in the leathery family though perfumers often slot it under the broader woody moss category. Off a blotter the first impression is a supple leather note reminiscent of a well-worn jacket fresh from a cedar wardrobe. Within seconds a sweet moss nuance creeps in, adding a slightly earthy damp quality that recalls forest floor after rain. Beneath that a faint medicinal facet whispers in the background giving the overall scent a gently phenolic twang that keeps it from feeling too soft.
In classical note terms Orcinyl 3 behaves like a base note. It emerges quietly during the heart yet anchors the drydown for hours. While it never shouts in the top it reinforces other notes that appear earlier, helping them feel fuller and more natural.
Projection sits in the low to moderate range. It will not radiate across a room but adds a solid cushion around the wearer. Longevity is its strong suit: on skin it lingers for six to eight hours and on fabric or blotter it can be detected up to four days, making it a reliable backbone for long lasting compositions.
How & Where To Use Orcinyl 3
Perfumers reach for Orcinyl 3 when they need a believable oakmoss or leather accent without relying on natural moss extracts that face regulatory limits. It can stand alone as a single oakmoss touch or sit at the heart of a full moss accord paired with Evernyl, Veramoss or low levels of natural absolute for added texture.
In a classic chypre base the material bridges the gap between citrus top notes and a patchouli-labdanum foundation, giving the whole accord its earthy green twang. For leather styles it fuses seamlessly with birch tar aspects and smoky woods, softening harsh phenols while keeping that worn-in saddle vibe.
Orcinyl 3 excels in woody fougères, dark florals and modern oud blends. It also lifts tobacco accords by adding damp forest floor nuances that read as realistic cured leaf. Where it struggles is in bright colognes or delicate tea fragrances where its mossy weight can feel out of place.
The manufacturer suggests 0.05 to 1 % of the finished concentrate but many perfumers trial anywhere from trace levels up to about 5 % in special effects bases. Low doses give a gentle green polish while higher doses turn decidedly leathery and sweet-phenolic. At very high levels it can dominate, making the formula smell medicinal or dusty.
Because it is a white powder first step is dissolving. Weigh the desired amount then pre-dissolve in ethanol, dipropylene glycol or a 1:1 blend of the two at around 10 % to create a handy stock solution. Gentle warming to 40 °C and stirring speeds up dissolution and leaves no gritty residue.
Over-use can muddy top notes and flatten diffusion, so always compare a control strip without the material. If the composition starts smelling closed-in dial it back until air and sparkle return.
When building a moss substitute accord try 2 parts Orcinyl 3, 1 part Evernyl and 0.2 parts Patchouli Heart as a starting point. Adjust sweetness with small dabs of vanilla or coumarin and tweak dryness with cedarwood.
Safely Using Orcinyl 3
Dilution is key. Prepare a 10 % or weaker solution before evaluation so you avoid the shock of neat material hitting your nose. Never sniff straight from the bottle; use a scent strip and waft the air toward you.
Work in a well-ventilated space, ideally under a fume hood or near an open window. This limits inhalation of fine powder or solvent vapors. Protective gloves keep residue off your skin and safety glasses guard against accidental splashes.
Like many aroma chemicals Orcinyl 3 may trigger irritation or an allergic response in sensitive individuals. Brief contact with low concentrations is considered low risk but prolonged handling or exposure to high doses can cause redness, dryness or respiratory discomfort.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding consult a health professional before routine use to rule out any additional concerns. Wash hands after handling and keep food and drinks out of the work area.
Dispose of spills by wiping with an absorbent cloth then placing it in a sealed container for chemical waste. Do not rinse large amounts down the drain as the material, while readily biodegradable, can still stress small-scale waste systems.
Always review the latest Safety Data Sheet supplied by your vendor and check it regularly for updates. Follow current IFRA guidelines for maximum concentration in each product category to keep your creations safe and compliant.
How To Store & Dispose of Orcinyl 3
Store sealed drums or bottles of Orcinyl 3 in a cool dark cupboard away from direct sunlight and obvious heat sources. Refrigeration is not mandatory but a stable low temperature slows oxidation and helps the powder keep its punch for longer.
Choose containers that close tightly. Polycone caps are ideal because their cone liner forms a snug barrier against air. Avoid dropper bottles as the small vent hole lets oxygen creep in and solvent escape. After each use top up working bottles or move the remaining stock to a smaller vessel so the headspace stays minimal.
Prepare dilutions in ethanol or dipropylene glycol and keep them under the same conditions. Label every container with the material name, the CAS number 3209-13-0 and hazard icons from the latest SDS so anyone on the bench can identify it at a glance.
For day-to-day handling weigh the powder on clean paper then fold and tip it into solution to avoid dust. Wipe any spills with a damp disposable cloth and place the cloth in a sealed bag for chemical waste pickup.
Orcinyl 3 is readily biodegradable and classed as non-hazardous to aquatic life yet you still should not pour large quantities down the drain. Small residue in rinse water is acceptable but surplus concentrate or outdated stock belongs in the hazardous waste stream according to local regulations.
Summary
Orcinyl 3 is a white crystalline aroma chemical from Givaudan that delivers a convincing leathery oakmoss note with a sweet phenolic twist. It acts as a reliable middle-to-base accent that anchors chypres, leather blends, woody fougères and tobacco accords while respecting today’s regulatory limits on natural moss.
The powder shows strong tenacity, good stability in most finished products and sits in the mid price bracket so it is attractive to both niche perfumers and larger houses. Its scent is distinctive though, so dosing must be judged carefully to avoid a medical or dusty edge.
Stock stays fresh for up to two years if kept cool and tightly capped. Because the ingredient is significant in the oakmoss substitute space it remains widely available. Commercial buyers can order directly from Givaudan or approved distributors while hobbyists will find smaller packs from reseller websites and generic aroma chemical producers.