What Is Cetonal?
Cetonal is a synthetic aroma chemical created for perfumery work. The material was originally developed and is still produced by Givaudan, yet once the patent expired other suppliers began offering comparable grades under generic names. No matter the source, the core molecule remains the same and meets the specifications favoured by fragrance houses worldwide.
The ingredient is manufactured through a multi-step chemical process starting with petrochemical feedstocks. Intermediates are carefully reacted, purified and distilled until a pale yellow liquid with high purity is obtained. The final product is clear, mobile and easy to dose by pipette.
Formulators reach for Cetonal when they want an elegant floral-orris nuance that also threads into woody and leathery themes. It shows up in fine fragrance, candle blends, soaps and even in a few fabric care bases, so while it is not as common as ionones or linalool it is far from rare in the industry.
Cetonal is moderately priced: dearer than everyday aroma staples but still accessible for most creative budgets. Packaged in aluminium or fluorinated HDPE, it typically carries a recommended shelf life of around two to three years provided containers are kept tightly closed.
Cetonal’s Scent Description
Perfumers slot Cetonal into the floral family, more precisely the orris subgroup. On a blotter the first impression is a soft yet pronounced violet-powder aspect that quickly deepens into a cool, earthy orris note. Beneath that floral core sits a gentle cedar-like woodiness that lends structure, plus a faint whisper of warm leather that adds sophistication without turning animalic.
In the fragrance pyramid Cetonal behaves as a middle-to-base note. It appears after the volatilisation of brighter top notes, settles in the heart and then lingers for hours, quietly supporting the drydown. While it is not as powerful as classic musks, a modest dose can be detected on a blotter for about a day, giving good longevity relative to its molecular weight.
Projection is moderate: it radiates enough to round out a composition but stays polite, never shouting across the room. This balanced diffusion makes it a reliable team player in both fine fragrance and functional products where harmony is key.
How & Where To Use Cetonal
Perfumers reach for Cetonal when a floral heart feels flat or a woody base lacks lift. Its cool orris nuance sits neatly between top and base notes so it can glue the stages of a scent together. A few drops give body to violet, iris or rose accords while smoothing sharp aldehydes. In woods it brightens cedar and sandalwood without pushing them into pencil-shaving territory. When leather or tobacco notes smell too rough Cetonal rounds the edges and adds a quiet powdery veil.
The usual dose sits between 0.1 % and 2 % of the total concentrate. At trace levels it acts as a blender that most noses will not pick out on its own. Around 0.5 % the orris facet becomes noticeable and a gentle green tone shows up. Near the 2 % mark the material delivers a stronger woody punch that can overshadow lighter florals. Going past 3 % risks a muddy middle that feels waxy and stale, especially in white floral or citrus blends.
Cetonal excels in fine fragrance, body lotion, shampoo and scented candles. It handles heat well so it keeps its character in hot-pour wax or melt-in use products like soap. It is less successful in bleach cleaners and very high-pH detergent powders where a faint burnt edge can appear after storage.
Before weighing, many perfumers prepare a 10 % solution in ethanol or dipropylene glycol. This makes drop-counting easier and gives a clearer read when smelling blotters. The raw liquid is thick enough to cling to glass so rinsing pipettes with solvent prevents carryover. Because the scent is potent, store any stock solution in amber glass and label it with creation date, strength and batch number.
Safely Using Cetonal
Work with Cetonal only after diluting it. A 10 % solution in alcohol is common for evaluation, lower strengths for skin tests on finished bases. Never sniff straight from the bottle; instead wave the blotter a short distance under your nose. Keep the workspace well ventilated or use a fume hood to reduce airborne build-up.
Wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses so the liquid cannot touch skin or eyes. Even a small splash may cause redness or a mild burning feel. Some people develop allergic reactions after repeated contact so wash hands and tools right after use.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding talk with a medical professional before prolonged work with any aroma chemical, including Cetonal. Short encounters with low levels are generally safe but breathing concentrated vapors or spilling material on skin can be harmful. Cetonal is also toxic to aquatic life so prevent spills from reaching drains.
Dispose of unused solutions through an approved chemical waste service and wipe benches with solvent then soapy water. Always read the most recent safety data sheet from your supplier and check it often for updates. Follow IFRA guidelines for maximum dose in each product type to keep both the maker and the end user safe.
How To Store & Dispose of Cetonal
Cetonal lasts longest when oxygen, light and heat are kept at bay. A refrigerator set to around 5 °C is ideal if you have the space, yet a normal supply cabinet that stays cool and dark also works. Keep bottles away from radiators, sunny windows and any equipment that vibrates or warms the shelf.
Use airtight containers fitted with polycone caps. These flexible liners grip the glass and make a tight seal that slows oxidation. Avoid dropper bottles for stock or dilutions because the rubber bulbs let air creep back in and the threaded collars rarely close fully. When a bottle is half empty decant the remainder into a smaller vessel to cut the headspace that speeds degradation.
Label every container with “Cetonal,” the dilution strength, the date it was filled and basic hazard icons. A clear tag saves confusion when several pale yellow liquids sit side by side on the bench. If you prepare a working solution for the week add the batch number of the neat lot so you can trace quality issues later.
Store any syringes, pipettes and wipes used with Cetonal in a sealed waste jar until you can hand them to a licensed chemical disposal service. The molecule is readily biodegradable under lab conditions but still toxic to aquatic organisms if it reaches waterways in bulk, so never pour leftovers down the drain. Small rinses can be trapped on kitty litter or an absorbent pad then disposed of as hazardous waste according to local rules.
Before final disposal triple rinse empty bottles with solvent, dry them and remove or deface the labels. Keep a log of what left the lab and when so audits run smoothly and you always know how much material is on site.
Summary
Cetonal is a floral woody aroma chemical from Givaudan prized for the way it bridges orris, violet and cedar themes. On blotter it opens with cool powdery iris, shows a gentle green touch then settles into a soft wood note that holds for about a day. At 0.1 % to 2 % it lends body, rounds rough edges and helps disparate notes feel knitted together.
Its popularity sits in the mid range of the perfumer’s palette: not as ubiquitous as galaxolide yet common wherever an orris accent is needed. Cost is moderate so it rarely busts a budget, and stability is good in most pH zones though prolonged contact with strong bleach can scorch the scent. Keep an eye on oxidation because stale stock gains a waxy facet that drags a formula down.
Cetonal is sold in kilogram drums through Givaudan and major distributors. Hobbyists and indie brands can source smaller quantities from specialty resellers or generic producers that operate once original patents lapse. Whether you buy a lab sample or a full pallet, store it cool, cap it tight and label it clearly so the elegant scent you paid for stays in prime condition until the day it hits the blotter.