What Is Guaiacwood Acetate Synarome?
Guaiacwood Acetate Synarome is an aroma material first introduced to perfumers in the early 1930s by the French house Synarome. It is produced by acetylating guaiacol, a molecule that itself comes from guaiacwood oil, using standard fragrance-grade chemical processes. The end result is classed as a synthetic ingredient, even though its starting point can be a natural essential oil.
At room temperature the material is a clear mobile liquid that can show a faint yellow-green tint depending on batch age and storage. Because the liquid stays fluid without any visible crystals, it measures out easily in both laboratory and factory settings.
Guaiacwood Acetate Synarome earned a reputation for reliability, so it appears in everything from fine perfume concentrates to heavy-duty cleaning products. That wide adoption is helped by a stable profile that stands up to heat, high pH and the typical oxidizers found in household formulations.
Perfumers consider it a mid-priced workhorse rather than a luxury niche item, which means it often serves as a building block rather than a cost-limiting factor. Its supply chain is well established, and most fragrance compounders keep it in regular stock.
What Does Guaiacwood Acetate Synarome Smell Like?
This ingredient sits comfortably in the woody family. Off a blotter it opens with a smooth sawdust note that quickly reveals a smoky facet similar to a freshly sharpened pencil. Within a few minutes a mild clove-like spice shows up, giving the woodiness a warm glow rather than a burnt edge. As it settles further, a subtle rosy sweetness peeks through, rounding the profile and keeping it from feeling dry or dusty.
In the classic top, middle and base note framework, Guaiacwood Acetate Synarome performs as a base material. You will not notice a dramatic top note flash; instead it anchors a blend and stays present long after lighter components have faded.
Projection is moderate, meaning it will radiate a soft woody aura without overwhelming surrounding notes. Longevity is strong, easily carrying a composition through the drydown stage for many hours on skin and even longer on porous materials such as fabric or paper.
How & Where To Use Guaiacwood Acetate Synarome
First things first: this is a genuinely pleasant material to handle. It pours easily, cleans off glassware without fuss and does not fight back with an overpowering raw note while you work. In short, it behaves itself in the lab.
Perfumers reach for Guaiacwood Acetate Synarome when they need a soft yet persistent woody backbone that will not steal the spotlight. It slips seamlessly into cedar, sandalwood or vetiver accords, lending an almost pencil-shavings smoothness plus a gentle rosy glow that helps bridge wood notes with floral or spicy elements. If a formula feels too dry or dusty, a touch of this acetate can warm things up without turning smoky.
Typical inclusion sits anywhere from a trace up to about 5 percent of the concentrate. At 0.1 percent it behaves like a subtle blender, rounding harsh edges. Around 1 percent the spicy-rosy nuance becomes noticeable, ideal for modern rose or carnation themes. Push it above 3 percent and the guaiac facet takes center stage, giving a composition a creamy, almost waxy wood tone that lingers for hours.
The ingredient shines in fine fragrance bases, but it also holds up in functional products such as shampoos, soaps and even heavy-duty detergents thanks to its stability against heat and alkaline conditions. Where it can stumble is in very bright citrus colognes that rely on extreme top-note freshness; here the woody bottom might feel out of place unless carefully balanced.
No special prep is required beyond the usual: give the bottle a good roll to ensure homogeneity and pre-dilute in ethanol or dipropylene glycol to 10 percent for easier weighing and quicker olfactory evaluation. Because it is a clear liquid with a modest flashpoint of about 100 °C it does not demand chilled storage or heated lines in production.
Safely Information
Like all aroma chemicals, Guaiacwood Acetate Synarome calls for a few common-sense precautions to keep work safe and comfortable.
- Always dilute before smelling: prepare a 10 percent solution or lower and waft the scent toward your nose rather than sniffing directly.
- Avoid bottle-to-nose smelling: concentrated vapors can overwhelm the senses and may irritate mucous membranes.
- Ventilation: blend and evaluate in a well-ventilated space or under a fume hood to prevent buildup of airborne material.
- Personal protective equipment: wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses to keep liquid off skin and out of eyes.
- Health considerations: some users may experience skin irritation or sensitization. Consult a healthcare professional if you are pregnant or breastfeeding and minimize prolonged high-level exposure.
In short, treat Guaiacwood Acetate Synarome with the same respect you give any professional perfumery material. Consult the latest supplier MSDS and follow IFRA recommendations for maximum concentration in finished products, checking back regularly for updates as guidelines can change.
Storage And Disposal
When stored correctly Guaiacwood Acetate Synarome remains in good working order for roughly two to three years before noticeable oxidation dulls the scent. An unopened bottle kept away from heat and light often stays fresh even longer.
Refrigeration is not mandatory but a spot in the back of a lab fridge set around 5 °C will slow oxidation and extend shelf life. If fridge space is limited a cool cupboard that never exceeds 20 °C and stays out of direct sunlight is usually fine.
Use tight-sealing polycone caps for both neat material and dilutions. These caps form a flexible liner that hugs the glass neck and keeps vapors in and oxygen out. Dropper bottles look convenient yet they rarely close fully and can let volatiles escape while letting air creep in.
Whenever possible decant into the smallest practical bottle so the liquid sits high and air space stays low. Top off working solutions rather than leaving half-empty containers since extra headspace accelerates oxidation and color change.
Label every bottle with the full name, concentration if diluted and the date it was filled. Add pictograms or hazard phrases pulled from the supplier SDS so anyone grabbing the bottle knows what precautions to take at a glance.
For disposal treat Guaiacwood Acetate Synarome like any non-halogenated organic solvent. Small lab quantities can go into an approved liquid waste drum for licensed collection or high-temperature incineration. Avoid pouring it down the drain; the ingredient is only sparingly soluble in water and is not considered readily biodegradable so it can persist in municipal systems. Rinse empty bottles with ethanol, add the rinse to solvent waste then recycle or discard the clean glass according to local rules.
Summary
Guaiacwood Acetate Synarome is an acetylated derivative of guaiacwood that brings a smooth pencil-shaving woodiness touched with soft spice and a whisper of rose. It acts as a dependable base note, adding warmth and persistence to everything from modern florals to smoky woods.
Easy handling, solid stability and a moderate price tag make it a go-to workhorse across fine fragrance, soaps, shampoos and even tough household cleaners. It blends effortlessly into cedar, sandalwood or vetiver themes, props up rose accords and can round off rough edges in spicy blends.
Keep an eye on long-term storage to avoid oxidation, remember that very bright citrus formulas may need careful balancing and enjoy the creative freedom this versatile ingredient offers. Whether you are sketching a cozy woody candle or polishing a high-end perfume accord, Guaiacwood Acetate Synarome is a fun reliable tool that earns its shelf space in most fragrance labs.