What Is Labienoxime 10%/Ipm-Tec?
Labienoxime 10%/Ipm-Tec is an aroma molecule carried at ten percent in a safe cosmetic solvent called isopropyl myristate triethyl citrate. The neat molecule, first brought to market during the late 1990s, belongs to a family of oxime esters born from classic nitrile chemistry. It is obtained through a multi-step synthesis that couples a light carbon chain to an oxime core, followed by dilution to ensure easier handling and dosing.
Because every step takes place in a controlled laboratory setting the material is classed as fully synthetic. No botanical extraction is involved, which keeps quality consistent from batch to batch and protects crop resources.
At room temperature the product appears as a crystal-clear mobile liquid. It pours like water yet carries a slightly oily slip that makes weighing straightforward even for small scale formulators.
Perfumers reach for Labienoxime when they need a reliable fruity accent that does not fade away in the wash. Its manufacturing cost is firmly mid-range so the ingredient can sit comfortably in fine fragrance, fabric care and even some air care projects without breaking the budget.
Usage levels tend to stay low thanks to the ingredient’s high impact, which has helped it earn a solid foothold in modern compounding labs worldwide.
What Does Labienoxime 10%/Ipm-Tec Smell Like?
Most professionals slot Labienoxime into the fruity family.
On a fresh blotter the first impression is a vivid splash of blackcurrant juice: think the tangy bite of crushed cassis buds without their sulfur heaviness. Within seconds a bright grapefruit rind effect joins in, adding zest and preventing any syrupy feel. As the minutes pass a crisp green facet, reminiscent of snapped garden leaves and a hint of aromatic sage blossom, rises to support the fruit and keep everything airy.
The note profile sits at the top to early heart of a composition. Its punchy opening makes it act like a top note, yet the molecule’s low volatility allows a good share of the scent to linger into the middle stage where it adds a fresh lift to florals or herbs. It is not a base note and will not anchor a perfume on its own, but its linear character means the fruity green glow stays perceptible far longer than most comparable materials.
Projection is moderate: enough to be noticed without shouting. Longevity is impressive for something so bright, with traces still detectable on a standard paper strip after about a week in normal conditions.
How & Where To Use Labienoxime 10%/Ipm-Tec
First off this is a friendly material to handle. It pours cleanly, does not stain and the scent jumps off the strip fast so you get feedback right away. The ten percent dilution also means you can weigh it out without that nerve-wracking “one drop too many” moment that neat powerhouses often give.
Perfumers reach for Labienoxime when a formula needs a quick shot of natural-feeling fruit that hangs around after the top fades. In citrus blends it freshens lemon, lime or grapefruit while smoothing harsh terpene edges. In floral bouquets it brings a juicy lift to modern lily of the valley, peony or lavender making them feel freshly cut rather than perfumey. It is also a clever modifier in herbal fougères where its grassy blackcurrant thread links the top to the green heart.
The ingredient shines in fabric detergent, shampoo, soap and candle work thanks to its excellent stability and burn performance. It does less well in bleach systems where much of the brightness is lost. In fine fragrance it can replace part of expensive natural cassis absolute or step in when other fruity synthetics feel too sharp. Use it over competitors when you need linear staying power on cotton or paper strips or when sulfur off-notes from classic cassis molecules would clash with the brief.
Typical inclusion levels sit between traces and 0.5 percent of the concentrate. Push it toward 1 percent in bold fruity colognes or laundry boosters, though above that the green facet turns herbal and can overshadow delicate notes. At very low dosages a pleasant grapefruit mist appears without the stems, so you can tweak freshness without declaring “blackcurrant” outright.
No tricky prep is required. Just give the bottle a gentle roll before pipetting to make sure the carrier is fully blended, then pre-dilute to 1 percent in ethanol or dipropylene glycol for smelling sessions or fine adjustments.
Safety Information
Like all aroma chemicals Labienoxime 10%/Ipm-Tec demands a few simple precautions to keep blending sessions safe.
- Always dilute before smelling: prepare a 1 percent solution in a neutral solvent before evaluating the scent
- Avoid direct sniffing from the bottle: concentrated vapors can overwhelm your sense of smell and irritate nasal passages
- Ventilation: mix and evaluate in a well ventilated space or under a fume hood to prevent buildup of airborne particles
- Personal protective gear: wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses to keep the liquid off skin and out of eyes
- Health considerations: some aroma chemicals may cause irritation or allergic responses; brief exposure to low levels is generally safe yet prolonged or high-level contact can be harmful. Consult a healthcare professional before handling if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
Always review the latest safety data sheet from your supplier and follow any updated instructions it contains. Check current IFRA guidelines for permitted use levels in your product category and stay within those limits for worry-free formulation.
Storage And Disposal
When kept in ideal conditions Labienoxime 10%/Ipm-Tec stays in spec for roughly two to three years. Cool stable temperatures slow oxidation so a dedicated fragrance fridge is helpful, though not strictly required.
If refrigeration is not possible store the bottle in a dark cupboard away from hot pipes or sunny windows. Swap any standard cap for a polycone insert that locks out air and keeps the carrier from creeping. Skip dropper tops as they let vapour escape and can clog. Top up working bottles from a master stock so the headspace stays small and the material sees as little oxygen as possible.
Label every container with the full name, concentration, date first opened and any hazard icons. Clear notes today save head-scratching later and make sure anyone sharing the space knows what is inside.
The molecule is classed as non biodegradable so never pour leftovers down the drain. Small amounts can be wiped with paper towels then binned in a sealed bag. Larger volumes should go into a sealed plastic or metal tin filled with an absorbent such as cat litter and handed to a local hazardous waste center. Rinse empty glass with a bit of alcohol, let it dry then recycle or reuse.
Summary
Labienoxime 10%/Ipm-Tec is a synthetic fruity booster carried in a skin safe solvent. On the blotter it splashes out juicy blackcurrant and grapefruit over a crisp green thread that keeps the mix bright.
Because it projects like a top note yet lasts like a heart note it bridges openings with middles in citrus blends, modern florals or herbal fougères. Excellent stability in soap, shampoo and fabric care plus a mid-range price make it a regular on perfumers’ benches.
It is fun to play with, easy to dose and surprisingly linear so what you smell early on is what stays. Just watch the upper limits or the green side can crowd out delicate accords and remember disposal needs extra care since the material will not break down on its own.