What Is Dihydro Ionone Beta?
Dihydro Ionone Beta is an aroma molecule from the wider ionone family, a group famed for their violet and orris accents. This particular variant is supplied by Givaudan, yet other flavour and fragrance houses may offer comparable grades under a non-proprietary name.
The material is produced through a selective hydrogenation step applied to ionone chemistry, giving a structure that keeps the floral core while pushing the profile in a woodier direction. Modern production uses readily available citrus-derived building blocks, so the supply chain is reliable and consistent.
At room temperature the ingredient is a clear, water-white liquid with a light viscosity that pours easily. It has no visible colour cast, which helps when formulating in pale or transparent bases.
Perfumers reach for Dihydro Ionone Beta when they need a sophisticated woody nuance without the dryness found in some cedar notes. It is not as ubiquitous as its alpha counterpart yet is gaining ground thanks to its versatility in fine fragrance, home scent and even personal care products.
When stored in a tightly closed, amber glass or aluminium container away from heat and air, the material can retain full strength for around two years before noticeable oxidation sets in. Any change is gradual and often manageable with simple quality checks.
On the cost scale it sits in the middle bracket. It is not a budget filler, nor is it restricted to luxury formulas, making it attractive for a wide range of projects.
Dihydro Ionone Beta’s Scent Description
The ingredient is generally filed under the woody family. On a fresh blotter the first impression is a smooth, polished wood tone wrapped in soft violet petals. Almost at once an orris butter aspect rises, giving a powdery depth that feels plush rather than dusty. As the minutes pass a gentle amber warmth surfaces along with a muted stone-fruit sweetness that keeps the profile rounded and inviting.
Perfumers often talk about perfumes unfolding in top, middle and base stages. Top notes appear quickly and fade within minutes, middles form the heart of the blend, while bases linger for many hours. Dihydro Ionone Beta bridges the heart and base zones. It shows its character fairly early yet continues to support the composition long after brighter notes have vanished.
Projection is moderate, giving a comfortable aura without overwhelming a room. Longevity is solid for a woody-floral molecule, with the blotter still carrying a distinct trace after roughly forty-eight hours under normal conditions.
How & Where To Use Dihydro Ionone Beta
Perfumers pull Dihydro Ionone Beta from the organ whenever a floral heart needs extra body or a woody base feels too dry. It fits smoothly into violet or orris accords, extends rose with a creamy undertone and warms cedar or vetiver without masking their character. In modern sandalwood or ambergris reconstitutions it acts as a polite bridge that rounds the rough edges rather than stealing the spotlight.
The manufacturer suggests a working range of 0.5 % to 5 %. At a trace level you will notice a soft violet blush that freshens top notes. Around 1 % the woody floral facet becomes clearer, giving volume to mids. Push it toward the upper limit and the ambery wood aspect dominates, adding weight to the base. Beyond 5 % the material can flatten brightness and introduce an oily nuance, so restraint is wise.
Dihydro Ionone Beta shines in fine fragrance, fabric conditioners and shampoos thanks to its two-day persistence on blotter and excellent stability across pH 3-10. It also survives hot soaping processes and even powder detergents where many floral notes collapse. The downside is limited lift in top accords so it is less useful for colognes or citrus sprays that depend on sparkle.
Before weighing out, give the bottle a gentle roll to ensure homogeneity then pre-dilute to 10 % in ethanol or DPG. This makes accurate dosing easier and protects delicate naturals from spot over-concentration. It dissolves quickly in most solvents yet may cloud pure water so a solubiliser is needed for aqueous bases.
Layering tips include pairing with methyl ionone for extra violet, with Iso E Super for transparent wood or with ambrette seed CO2 for a plush fruity echo. Avoid heavy doses beside strong phenolics like cumin as their combined warmth can turn sweaty.
Safely Using Dihydro Ionone Beta
Start every session by diluting the raw material before evaluation. Work in a well-ventilated space, keep the blotter at arm’s length and never inhale straight from the bottle. Protective gloves and safety glasses stop accidental splashes reaching skin or eyes.
Like many aroma molecules Dihydro Ionone Beta can trigger irritation or sensitisation in vulnerable individuals. Short sniffs of low concentrations are generally safe yet repeated high-level exposure may lead to headaches or dermatitis. Anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding should consult a medical professional before handling fragrance materials.
Although the ingredient is classified as inherently biodegradable it shows ecotoxicity if released in bulk, so avoid rinsing larger quantities down the drain. Collect spills with an inert absorbent, seal in a labelled container and dispose of it via a licensed chemical waste service.
Store the bottle tightly closed in a cool dark cupboard, ideally under nitrogen or argon blanket once the seal is broken. Minimising air contact slows oxidation and keeps the scent profile true for up to three years.
Always check the latest supplier Safety Data Sheet for updated hazard information and follow IFRA guidelines for maximum allowable levels in each product category. Regulations evolve and a quick document review before every new project helps keep both creator and consumer safe.
How To Store & Dispose of Dihydro Ionone Beta
For day-to-day storage keep the bottle in a cool dark cupboard away from radiators, windows or direct sunlight. A steady room temperature works, yet moving the stock to a refrigerator set around 5 °C can stretch its shelf life even further. Always let chilled bottles warm to room temperature before opening to avoid moisture condensing inside.
Choose glass bottles with airtight polycone caps. These liners create a snug seal that stops slow evaporation and limits oxygen contact. Dropper bottles look handy but they rarely seal well so reserve them for very short-term tests only.
Oxidation is the chief enemy of Dihydro Ionone Beta. Decant larger purchases into several small bottles and top them up so the headspace stays minimal. If you work from a diluted 10 % solution, store that dilution separately and label it clearly so you do not confuse it with the neat material.
Every container should carry the full name, CAS number 17283-81-7, hazard pictograms if required and the date it was first opened. Good labels save time later and protect anyone else who might handle the bottle.
When a batch loses freshness or you simply have surplus, never pour it down the sink. Even though the molecule is classed as inherently biodegradable it can still harm aquatic life in concentrated form. Small amounts on blotters or wipes can go in regular trash once dry. Larger quantities should be collected in a sealed jar, tagged as fragrance waste and handed to a licensed disposal company.
Wipe spills with absorbent paper, bag it, then wash the area with soapy water. Ventilate the room until the woody aroma fades. Keep a spill kit close to your bench so you can act fast if a bottle tips.
Summary
Dihydro Ionone Beta is a colourless liquid aroma chemical from Givaudan that sits between floral hearts and woody bases. Its scent blends soft violet-orris notes with creamy wood plus a hint of peach, giving body and elegance without heaviness.
Perfumers reach for it at 0.5 % to 5 % when they want to round off rose, violet, sandalwood or amber themes. It holds up in soaps, detergents and fine fragrance thanks to strong pH stability and two-day tenacity on blotter.
Cost remains moderate because the synthesis is well established, making it an easy upgrade for both large-scale and indie projects. The main cautions are oxidation over time and limited sparkle in top notes, so pair it with brighter materials and store it well sealed.
Commercial quantities come direct from Givaudan or other bulk suppliers under the same CAS number. Hobbyists can buy smaller packs from speciality resellers and generic aroma houses, allowing anyone to explore its smooth woody charm in trials or finished products.