What Is Dihydrojasmone?
Dihydrojasmone is an aroma ingredient that first appeared on perfumers’ palettes in the late 1950s. It does not come straight from a plant or flower. Instead it is produced in the lab through a controlled series of chemical steps that begin with simple petrochemical or natural feedstocks. This makes it a fully synthetic material, even though small traces can be found in certain jasmine extracts.
At room temperature the material is a clear liquid that can pick up a slight straw tone as it ages. It pours easily, similar to a light oil, and does not crystallize in normal indoor conditions. Perfumers like that it is stable in most household and personal care bases which keeps the formula looking bright and free of sediment.
Dihydrojasmone is widely stocked by fragrance houses because of its versatility across fine fragrance, soaps, detergents and candles. It sits in the middle price bracket: not a luxury specialty but also not a bargain-basement filler. This balanced cost encourages its use in both mass and prestige work where a touch of jasmine freshness is wanted without driving up the budget.
What Does Dihydrojasmone Smell Like?
Perfumers place Dihydrojasmone in the floral family. Off a blotter it opens with a crisp burst that mixes ripe fruit nuances with a gentle jasmine signature. Moments later a soft leafy facet comes forward and a light woody trace starts to anchor the scent. As the minutes pass a mild herbal accent rounds out the profile and keeps it from turning overly sweet.
In fragrance structure we talk about top, middle and base notes. Top notes are the first to reach the nose then fade quickly. Middle notes form the heart of the perfume and last longer. Base notes linger on skin or fabric the longest. Dihydrojasmone falls between the upper middle and the start of the base. It appears soon after the opening yet still stays present through the dry-down.
Projection is moderate. It radiates enough to be noticed without shouting across a room and it keeps a gentle aura around the wearer. On a paper blotter the material can be detected for well over two weeks which shows strong staying power. In an actual perfume formula its tenacity supports and extends lighter floral and green elements while giving a natural lift to woody accords.
How & Where To Use Dihydrojasmone
First things first, this is a fun material to play with. It blends smoothly, behaves well in most bases and does not stain or cloud a formula. The smell is friendly too which makes weighing and smelling sessions pleasant instead of eye-watering.
Perfumers reach for Dihydrojasmone when they want a clean jasmine lift without the indolic weight of natural absolute. It works beautifully in modern green florals, lavender fougères and citrus colognes where a subtle petal effect is needed rather than a heady bouquet. In a fruity top accord it bridges the gap between pear or apple notes and the heart of the scent, giving a juicy yet floral twist. Drop it into a woody base and it polishes rough cedar edges while adding a hint of freshness.
Typical inclusion sits anywhere from a trace to 5 percent of the total concentrate. At 0.1 percent you get a sheer green-fruity nuance that lightens the blend. Around 1 percent the jasmine character comes forward and the woody undertone starts to hum. Push it to the 3-5 percent zone and the material becomes a clear statement, delivering long-lasting floral radiance that can dominate lighter partners, so balance accordingly.
Outside fine fragrance it shines in soap, shower gel and detergent because it holds up against alkaline conditions and high temperatures. In candles it survives the heat of melt pools and diffuses evenly through burn time. The only place it can misbehave is in very heavy oriental or gourmand formulas where the fresh green edge may feel out of place.
Prep work is simple: weigh the raw material then pre-dilute to 10 percent in ethanol or dipropylene glycol for accurate dosing and safer smelling. No additional antioxidants or fixatives are usually needed thanks to its inherent stability.
Safety Information
Even easygoing aroma chemicals call for sensible precautions before you dive in.
- Always dilute before smelling: prepare a 10 percent or weaker solution so the aroma can be evaluated without overwhelming your nose
- No direct sniffing from the bottle: concentrated vapors can irritate nasal passages and distort your perception of the scent
- Work in good ventilation: open windows or use a fume hood to keep airborne levels low
- Wear gloves and safety glasses: prevents accidental skin contact and keeps splashes out of your eyes
- Health considerations: some people develop skin irritation or sensitization so monitor for redness and discontinue use if symptoms appear. Consult a doctor before handling if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Short sessions with low concentrations are generally safe but long or repeated exposure to high levels can be harmful
Always review the latest Material Safety Data Sheet supplied by your vendor and check it regularly for updates. Follow IFRA guidelines for maximum use levels in each product type to ensure your finished creation is both beautiful and safe.
Storage And Disposal
When stored with care Dihydrojasmone keeps its full character for around three to four years. Some perfumers still use older stock that smells fine but the fresher the material the brighter the lift.
A fridge set to 4-8 °C slows down oxidation and color change, though it is not essential. A cool dark cupboard away from sunlight heaters or hot pipes is usually enough. Temperature swings shorten life so aim for a steady spot.
Glass bottles with tight polycone caps give the best seal. Dropper tops let air seep in and should be avoided for both neat material and dilutions. After each pour wipe the rim then close firmly.
Keep bottles as full as possible. Less headspace means less oxygen and a slower fade of the jasmine sparkle. If you decant into small vials top them up to the neck.
Label every container with the name date and any hazard phrases from the SDS. Clear notes today prevent mystery liquids tomorrow.
For disposal never tip leftovers into a sink or outside drain. Small traces on blotters or pipettes can go in general waste once dry. Larger liquid amounts belong in a sealed jar marked “Flammable Waste” then handed to a licensed chemical collection point. Dihydrojasmone is partly biodegradable but only under controlled conditions so household systems will not break it down quickly.
Summary
Dihydrojasmone is a lab made floral note that gives a fresh fruity jasmine lift with leafy woody hints. It sits between the heart and base of a perfume and stays present for days on a blotter.
The ingredient slips into green florals, citrus colognes, lavender fougères and even soaps and candles without fuss. At low levels it whispers fruit and greenery, at higher levels it shines as a clear jasmine accent.
It is fun to work with thanks to its friendly smell, good stability and mid range price. Just watch the fresh edge in heavy gourmand blends and remember to cap those bottles tight so the color and scent stay true.