What Is Cyclodumol Acetate?
Cyclodumol Acetate is an ester created for modern perfumery in 2013 when researchers were looking for a clean way to add body to floral accords. The molecule is produced by reacting cyclodumol, a cyclic alcohol, with acetic anhydride under controlled heat. Most makers now source the alcohol from upcycled plant material so around eighty three percent of the final product comes from renewable feedstocks.
The finished ingredient looks like a clear liquid with only the faintest hint of yellow. It pours easily at room temperature and stays stable without added antioxidants or other stabilizers. With a purity of at least ninety percent it meets the technical needs of large fragrance houses as well as small studio brands.
Cyclodumol Acetate sits in the middle ground on price. It is not as cheap as basic solvents yet far less costly than rare natural absolutes. Because it works in fine fragrance, body wash, household cleaners and candle blends it has become a staple on many perfumers’ shelves.
Manufacturers also appreciate its solid physical profile. A flash point near ninety degrees Celsius keeps shipping simple while a boiling point of one hundred thirty two degrees Celsius lets it handle most production temperatures. The material is inherently biodegradable which helps meet current sustainability goals.
What Does Cyclodumol Acetate Smell Like?
Perfumers file Cyclodumol Acetate in the floral family. On a blotter it opens with a bright geranium leaf effect that quickly reveals a fresh pear note. A rosy damascone facet follows, giving the heart a rounded and slightly fruity tone, and a soft clean musk nuance lingers underneath tying everything together.
The scent profile shows its best character in the top and early heart of a perfume. It lifts a composition right after spraying then stays noticeable for several hours as a solid middle note. While it is not a long lived base material, its higher oil to water balance gives it better staying power than many other floral helpers.
Projection is medium to strong so a little can carry through the air without being overwhelming. Expect clear presence for four to six hours on skin and even longer on fabric or blotter. This balanced diffusion makes Cyclodumol Acetate a reliable choice for both fine fragrance and functional products where a pleasant bloom is desired.
How & Where To Use Cyclodumol Acetate
Most perfumers agree Cyclodumol Acetate is a friendly material to handle. It pours cleanly without the heavy stickiness of some florals and its scent is immediately appealing which makes lab days a bit more pleasant.
Creatively it shines when you need to add lift and volume to a bouquet. A few drops will freshen a rose accord, polish leafy geranium notes or give a contemporary pear twist to an otherwise classic floral. It is the molecule you reach for when linalool feels too sharp or when damascones alone leave a gap between the top and heart.
In fruity blends Cyclodumol Acetate bridges green pear facets with soft musks, smoothing transitions so the composition feels seamless. Herbaceous styles also benefit; combined with clary sage or rosemary it rounds rough edges and adds a subtle blossom that keeps the mix from turning medicinal.
Typical usage sits between 0.5 % and 8 % of the fragrance concentrate. At trace to 1 % you get a gentle pear-geranium sparkle. Between 2 % and 5 % the rosy damascone side becomes more obvious, pushing the material toward centre stage. Above 6 % the musk facet can dominate and the whole accord turns warmer which is excellent for fabric care but may feel heavy in a sheer fine fragrance.
Applications are broad: fine perfume, shampoos, shower gels, soaps, detergents, fabric softeners, multipurpose cleaners and candles all tolerate the material well. It is less suitable for very high temperature processes such as hot-pour deodorant sticks because the boiling point is relatively low, so some loss can occur.
No special prep work is mandatory, although pre-diluting to 20 % in a carrier such as dipropylene glycol or ethanol helps with accurate weighing and quicker blending in cold process soaps.
Safely Information
Working with any fragrance ingredient calls for sensible precautions and Cyclodumol Acetate is no exception.
- Always dilute before smelling: prepare a blotter or dip strip with a diluted solution rather than sniffing the neat liquid
- Avoid direct inhalation: never smell the material straight from the bottle to reduce risk of nasal irritation
- Ensure good ventilation: blend and evaluate in a well-aerated workspace so vapours do not accumulate
- Use personal protective equipment: wear gloves and safety glasses to prevent accidental skin or eye contact
- Health considerations: some aroma chemicals can trigger irritation or allergies, brief low level exposure is generally safe but prolonged or high concentration contact may be harmful, seek medical advice before use if pregnant or breastfeeding
Always consult the most recent Safety Data Sheet from your supplier and review it regularly as updates occur. Follow any applicable IFRA guidelines to ensure your finished product meets current safety standards.
Storage And Disposal
When Cyclodumol Acetate is stored under the right conditions it keeps its full character for roughly two to three years, sometimes longer if the bottle is left unopened. Oxidation is the main enemy so limiting the liquid’s contact with air is the quickest way to stretch that best-before date.
A dedicated fragrance fridge at around 5 °C provides the ideal environment, yet a cool dark cupboard away from direct sunlight and hot equipment is usually good enough for everyday studios. Temperature swings are what cause condensation inside the bottle so try to avoid shelves that sit above radiators or near windows.
Choose bottles with polycone caps for both the neat raw material and any dilutions. These caps form a tight seal that slows evaporation far better than glass droppers or pipette tops. If you must use a dropper for quick dosing keep it only for lab work and transfer the remainder back into a well-sealed stock bottle afterward.
As you work through the ingredient decant into smaller containers so the headspace stays minimal. Topping up with an inert gas spray can help too but simply keeping bottles full does most of the heavy lifting against oxidation.
Label every container clearly with the name Cyclodumol Acetate, the date it was opened, the dilution strength if any and the relevant hazard pictograms. Future you will thank present you during a busy compounding session.
For disposal small lab quantities can usually go with general solvent waste as the molecule is inherently biodegradable. Rinse empty glass with a little alcohol, add the rinse to the waste stream and recycle the clean bottle if local rules allow. Never pour large volumes down the drain and consult municipal guidelines before discarding more than a few grams.
Summary
Cyclodumol Acetate is a modern floral ester that brings a lively geranium-pear sparkle, a rosy heart and a soft musk trail. It slots into countless accords, from crisp green bouquets to smooth fruity musks, and offers a quick way to add volume without overpowering the blend.
Perfumers like it because it is reasonably priced, easy to handle and stable across fine fragrance, hair care and household formulas. Its medium flash point keeps shipping straightforward while the upcycled origin ticks the sustainability box.
Keep an eye on air exposure, watch the musk facet at higher doses and remember the ingredient prefers mid-range temperatures in both storage and finished products. Treat those points with respect and you will have a fun versatile tool that earns its place in any creative palette.