What Is Tetrahydrolinalool Dsm?
Tetrahydrolinalool Dsm is a single aroma molecule created by DSM researchers in 1960 during work on modernizing lavender tonalities for perfumery. It sits in the group of materials often called specialty alcohols and is identified in older internal documents as code 0401935.
The material is fully synthetic. Chemists build it step by step from smaller starting blocks in a process that follows green chemistry guidelines. The production site in the Swiss Alps runs on electricity sourced from renewable power which keeps its environmental footprint low.
At room temperature you will find Tetrahydrolinalool Dsm as a water-clear liquid. It pours easily, blends well with oils and solvents and shows good stability across many product bases.
Perfumers reach for it frequently because it bridges natural bouquets with clean modern facets. It appears in fine fragrance as well as everyday care items so availability is high and pricing sits in the moderate range rather than the luxury tier.
What Does Tetrahydrolinalool Dsm Smell Like?
This material is normally placed in the floral family.
On a blotter the first impression is bright and airy, suggesting freshly cut bergamot peel backed by delicate freesia petals. Within seconds a gentle lavender tone arrives, soft rather than herbal, giving the overall scent a calm and inviting feel. As the minutes pass the citrus sparkle settles and what remains is a smooth light floral aura without any heavy sweetness.
In traditional perfume structure ingredients can act as top, middle or base notes depending on how long they linger. Tetrahydrolinalool Dsm behaves mainly as a top to early-middle note. It comes alive straight away, supports the opening and then drifts off before the deeper fixatives take over.
Projection is moderate so it creates a pleasant halo without overwhelming nearby noses. Longevity is around three hours on a standard smelling strip which translates to a short to medium presence on skin or in household products.
How & Where To Use Tetrahydrolinalool Dsm
Perfumers like working with this molecule because it behaves itself in the lab, pours cleanly and does not have any tricky off notes that need taming.
Tetrahydrolinalool Dsm is usually weighed into citrus top notes or light floral hearts. It freshens bergamot accords, boosts freesia or muguet and softens sharper lavender oils. When a formula needs a quick sunny lift without drifting into sugary territory this is the bottle many professionals grab first.
At low dosages, under 0.2%, the material reads almost purely citrus and adds sparkle. Between 0.2% and about 1% the floral aspect blooms and you get the full bergamot-freesia-lavender trio. Push it closer to 3-5% and the note can feel soapy or even slightly waxy which works well in detergent bases but may feel flat in a fine fragrance unless balanced with bright aldehydes.
Because the molecule fades in roughly three hours it is rarely chosen to anchor a composition. Instead it shines as a bridge between quick volatile top notes and the slower middle. A perfumer might swap out part of regular linalool or synthetic bergamot for Tetrahydrolinalool Dsm when they want more stability against light or pH shifts in soaps.
Applications are broad. It survives the high pH of laundry powders, remains clear in shampoos and adds a gentle lift to scented candles. The only place it struggles is in very high-temperature processing such as extrusion of scented plastics where losses can be significant.
Preparation is simple. Make a 10% solution in ethanol or dipropylene glycol so you can dose by drops rather than milligrams. No special antioxidants are needed because the molecule is already saturated and resists oxidation.
Safely Information
Working with any aroma material calls for a few basic precautions to keep you and your workspace safe.
- Always dilute before evaluation: prepare a 10% or weaker solution before putting the strip to your nose
- Never smell from the bottle: direct inhalation can overload your senses and irritate mucous membranes
- Ventilation is key: mix and smell in a well-aired room or under a fume hood to avoid build-up of vapors
- Personal protective gear: wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses to prevent accidental skin or eye contact
- Health considerations: some individuals experience irritation or sensitization so discontinue use if redness or itching occurs consult a physician if you are pregnant or breastfeeding and remember that prolonged exposure to high concentrations can be harmful even for otherwise healthy people
For complete peace of mind refer to the current Material Safety Data Sheet supplied with your batch follow any updates closely and check the latest IFRA guidelines to confirm maximum allowable levels in your chosen application.
Storage And Disposal
Kept in the right conditions Tetrahydrolinalool Dsm stays fresh for about three to four years before you may notice any dip in strength or clarity. If possible store unopened drums or bottles in a refrigerator set around 5 °C to slow natural aging. If fridge space is tight a cupboard or cabinet that stays cool and shaded will still give good results.
Light and heat speed up oxidation so park the bottle far from sunny windows, radiators and hot lab equipment. Choose dark glass where you can and always fit a tight polycone cap. These liners press firmly against the neck and stop air creeping in, something ordinary dropper tops struggle to do. After each use top up the container with inert glass marbles or switch to a smaller vial so there is as little headspace as possible.
For working solutions the same rules apply. Use amber glass, lock it with a polycone, date the label then tuck it away in a cool spot. Clearly mark every container with the material name, batch number and hazard statements so nobody mistakes it for something else.
When the time comes to clear out leftover liquid first check local regulations. In most regions small laboratory amounts can be diluted with plenty of water and flushed to a chemical drain. Larger volumes should go to a licensed disposal facility that handles non‐halogenated organic waste. The molecule is considered readily biodegradable under standard tests yet releasing big quantities straight to the environment is still discouraged.
Clean empty bottles by triple rinsing, remove or deface labels then recycle the glass if services allow. Gloves and pipettes that held the neat material can be collected in solvent waste for incineration.
Summary
Tetrahydrolinalool Dsm is a synthetic floral note that brings a crisp bergamot and soft lavender twist to blends. It lifts top accords, smooths heart notes and slots easily into perfumes, soaps and candles which makes it a fun tool for both pros and hobbyists.
The scent flashes bright then settles within a few hours so partner it with longer lasting fixatives if you need extra cling. It comes at a mid-range price, stays stable in most bases and works cleanly under green chemistry targets making it a popular pick across the fragrance world.
Keep an eye on air exposure and heat so the liquid stays clear, remember it is mainly a top-to-middle helper rather than a base anchor and you will enjoy the fresh floral lift it adds to almost any brief.