What Is Aldehyde C-11 Undecyl?
Aldehyde C-11 Undecyl is a single aroma molecule first identified by chemists in the early 1920s while they were exploring new ways to extend the palette of synthetic perfume ingredients. It belongs to the long-chain aldehyde group, which was celebrated at the time for giving fragrances a modern clean character.
The material is made in a laboratory rather than extracted from a plant. Producers usually start with a fatty alcohol containing eleven carbon atoms, then run it through a gentle oxidation process that converts the alcohol into an aldehyde. Because the method relies on plentiful raw materials and well-established equipment, the finished ingredient is considered affordable for most fragrance applications.
At room temperature the molecule is a clear mobile liquid with no visible color. It is lighter than water so it will float if the two are mixed, though in practice it does not dissolve in water at all. The liquid handles easily, pours much like a light oil and has a moderate flashpoint that lets it travel safely under standard shipping rules.
Aldehyde C-11 Undecyl sees regular use across fine fragrance, personal care and home care products. Formula creators value its stability and high purity, which mean it stays fresh on the shelf and does not introduce unwanted off-notes in finished products.
What Does Aldehyde C-11 Undecyl Smell Like?
This ingredient sits in the aldehydic family, the group known for giving perfumes a bright polished lift.
Off a blotter it opens with a clean waxy note that quickly reveals a soft floral nuance, almost like the scent of freshly pressed linen paired with a hint of white petals. The waxy facet keeps the profile smooth while the floral aspect adds a quiet elegance so the overall effect feels pleasant rather than harsh.
In terms of perfume structure we talk about top, middle and base notes. Aldehydes with shorter chains often live in the top because they evaporate fast, yet C-11 Undecyl sits a little lower. It still appears early in a fragrance but it lingers into the heart, bridging the opening sparkle with the softer middle notes that follow.
Projection is noticeable at first and can fill personal space with ease. After the initial burst the molecule settles, giving a more intimate aura while continuing to support the composition for several hours. Its longevity is longer than lighter aldehydes but it will not persist into the deep drydown like heavy woods or musks.
How & Where To Use Aldehyde C-11 Undecyl
This is a friendly material to handle. It pours easily, does not darken over time and keeps its pleasant smell even after multiple openings of the bottle.
Perfumers reach for it when they want to give a formulation a clean yet creamy lift without the fizz that shorter aldehydes bring. It rounds out aldehydic top notes, smooths floral hearts and adds a discreet polish to musky bases. Think classic soap accords, modern fine fragrances that need a pressed linen vibe or any composition calling for a soft airy halo.
Usage levels normally sit between a trace and 2 percent in fine fragrance. Home and fabric care products can stretch to around 5 percent, though most blenders find less does the job. At 0.1 percent it stays in the background supporting other notes. Push it past 1 percent and the waxy facet becomes more obvious, sometimes covering delicate florals if you are not careful.
The molecule performs well in alcohol, oils and most surfactant bases. It is not water-soluble so for sprays or mists dilute it first in alcohol or dipropylene glycol. No special antioxidants or stabilizers are required.
Safely Information
Working with any aroma chemical calls for sensible precautions to keep both the creator and final consumers safe.
- Always dilute before smelling: prepare a 1 percent solution in ethanol or a strip test before evaluating the scent
- Avoid direct inhalation: never sniff straight from the bottle and carry out smelling sessions in a well ventilated space
- Personal protective equipment: wear nitrile gloves to prevent skin contact and safety glasses to guard against splashes
- Health considerations: some individuals may experience irritation or allergic reactions so limit exposure time and consult a doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding
- Exposure limits: brief encounters with low concentrations are generally safe but prolonged or high level contact can be harmful so respect workplace hygiene standards
Always review the latest Material Safety Data Sheet supplied by your vendor, keep it on file and check for updates. Follow current IFRA guidelines for maximum dose levels to ensure your finished product meets global safety expectations.
Storage And Disposal
When kept under ideal conditions Aldehyde C-11 Undecyl remains in spec for roughly two years, sometimes longer, so write a date on every bottle and aim to use it within that window.
Refrigeration is helpful but not essential. A shelf in a cool dark cupboard away from sunlight heaters or hot pipes usually does the job. High temperatures speed up oxidation and can nudge the odor toward fatty off notes so avoid leaving the bottle on a sunny bench.
Choose containers with tight seals. Polycone caps work better than glass droppers because they press firmly against the neck and block gradual evaporation. Keep the bottle as full as possible by moving leftovers into smaller vials which cuts the air space and slows degradation.
For any dilutions stick with amber or aluminum vessels labeled clearly with the material name lot number and hazard pictograms. Good labeling prevents mix-ups and lets anyone in your workspace see at a glance what they are handling.
Disposal is straightforward. In most regions small residual amounts can be wiped onto absorbent material and placed in regular refuse, while larger volumes should go to a licensed chemical waste handler. Do not pour undiluted aldehydes down the drain because they can stress aquatic life and upset wastewater systems. The molecule is classed as readily biodegradable under standard tests yet only after it reaches low environmental concentrations, so responsible disposal protects waterways and keeps you on the right side of local regulations.
Summary
Aldehyde C-11 Undecyl is a long chain synthetic aldehyde that brings a clean waxy floral lift to perfume formulas. It smells like freshly pressed linen softened by a hint of white petals and it lingers longer than the zippier short chain cousins.
Perfumers use it to polish top notes smooth floral hearts and give soaps detergents and candles that classic airy aura. It is affordable stable and fun to layer into citrus floral or musky accords though at high levels the waxy facet can dominate.
With sensible storage solid labeling and mindful dosage this versatile workhorse earns its place in any creative toolkit and invites endless experimentation across fine fragrance personal care and home scent projects.