What Is Maritima?
Maritima is a synthetic aroma molecule created by International Flavors & Fragrances, one of the biggest suppliers of fragrance ingredients in the world. While IFF owns the trade name, independent suppliers often sell the same chemistry under generic labels so the material is readily available to perfumers of every size.
Production starts from common petrochemical building blocks that go through several controlled reactions until the final formula, C16H23N, is reached. The result is a clear liquid that shows a faint straw tint when held up to the light and pours with the easy flow of a typical fragrance oil.
Maritima slots into the modern palette as a workhorse fresh note. You will see it in fine fragrances, fabric conditioners and even some detergents because it keeps its character in both water based and powder products. In everyday use the ingredient is viewed as mid-priced: not a bargain basement solvent note yet far from the cost of natural absolutes or captive molecules.
Opened drums usually carry a suggested shelf life of around two to three years when stored well, though many perfumers report it keeps its punch for longer if oxygen exposure is limited. Overall Maritima is considered a reliable material that performs consistently without demanding special handling beyond normal good practice.
Maritima’s Scent Description
This ingredient sits firmly in the fresh family of perfumery notes. Off a blotter you are greeted by a brisk airy wave that conjures clean sea spray rather than salty fish nets. Under the breezy top lies a damp mineral nuance reminiscent of sun-warmed rocks after rain, plus a subtle green facet that brings to mind crushed seaside plants.
Perfumers often describe the opening as sparkling and watery but not watery in the sense of dilution. Instead it feels like cool fog rolling off the ocean at dawn. As the minutes pass a barely perceptible woody trace anchors the accord so the freshness never turns sharp or acidic.
On the classical fragrance map notes are grouped as top middle or base according to how quickly they evaporate. With its very low vapor pressure Maritima behaves more like a middle-to-base note. The airy sparkle appears early yet the molecule holds on paper for more than a day, lending support long after citrus or herbal companions have floated away.
Projection is confident without being overwhelming. In a fine fragrance accord a modest percentage gives an immediate burst that travels an arm’s length then settles into a gentle aura. Longevity is impressive for a fresh note, often persisting 24 hours on a standard blotter which makes Maritima an effective bridge between fleeting ozonic tops and slower woody bases.
How & Where To Use Maritima
Perfumers reach for Maritima whenever a formula needs brisk sea air without the briny fishiness that some older marine materials can bring. It shines in the heart of citrus colognes, aquatic florals, sporty fougères and modern woody musks where it bridges bright top notes to clean bases. You will also find it in functional products such as fabric conditioners because the fresh effect survives the wash and leaves linen smelling like a coastal breeze.
Typical dosage ranges from a trace up to about 5 percent of the total concentrate. At 0.1 percent you get a barely-there breath of coolness that supports bergamot or melon accords. Around 2 percent the wet mineral tone becomes clear and lifts floral hearts. Push past 4 percent and you risk a dry pyridine nuance that can read harsh or metallic, so moderation keeps the material pleasant.
The note layers well with calone, ambroxide, hedione and light woods. It lends extra realism to salty ambergris accords when combined with seaweed absolutes or smaller touches of algenone. In gourmand concepts it can even sharpen fruity ozonic top notes, giving berries a sense of chilled freshness.
There are a few caveats. Maritima performs only moderately in high-pH powder detergents, so expect to pair it with boosters like aldehydes or citrus terpenes if you need more punch. In alcohol bases it is very stable yet in candle wax the low vapor pressure can limit projection, making it less effective than coastal accords built on more volatile aromatics.
Before weighing, prepare a 10 percent solution in ethanol or dipropylene glycol to make fine adjustments easier and to reduce the chance of overdosing. Stir or roll the stock until fully mixed because the neat liquid is viscous and can cling to glassware. Label the dilution clearly with date, strength and supplier so you can trace any future batch issues.
Safely Using Maritima
Dilution is your first line of defense. Always blend Maritima in a carrier solvent before evaluating its scent so you do not overwhelm your nose or respiratory system. Avoid sniffing straight from the bottle; instead let a blotter waft the aroma toward you. Work at a ventilated bench or near an extraction hood to disperse any concentrated vapors.
Protective gear matters even for a fresh-smelling ingredient. Wear nitrile gloves to keep the liquid off your skin and safety glasses to guard against accidental splashes. Although the material is not classed as highly toxic, repeated contact can cause irritation or sensitization in some individuals, especially those with existing fragrance allergies.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding consult a healthcare professional before handling any aroma chemicals. Brief exposure to low levels is generally considered safe yet prolonged work with higher concentrations can pose risks that include respiratory discomfort or dermatitis, so limit contact time and wash thoroughly after sessions.
Dispose of spills by absorbing them on inert material and placing the waste in a sealed container for chemical disposal, never down the drain because the molecule is non-biodegradable. Store remaining stock in a tightly closed amber bottle at 15-20 °C away from direct light and strong acids or bases to preserve purity for up to three years.
Always refer to the latest Safety Data Sheet supplied with your batch and check it periodically for updates. Follow current IFRA guidelines for maximum usage levels in each product category to ensure your creations remain both compliant and safe for consumers.
How To Store & Dispose of Maritima
Maritima is stable at standard lab temperatures yet benefits from careful storage habits. A cool dark cabinet away from radiators or sunny windows works for most users. If you have fridge space, chilling the bottle around 5 °C slows oxidation and can stretch shelf life toward the three year mark.
Choose airtight containers with polycone caps for both neat material and dilutions. These liners create a tight seal that limits vapor loss and keeps moisture out. Skip glass dropper bottles because the rubber bulbs breathe and let oxygen creep in, dulling the scent over time.
Keep each bottle as full as practical. Less headspace means less air contact and fewer oxidation reactions that can add an unwanted metallic edge. If you decant, top up the working bottle from the main stock rather than leaving a half empty container sitting for months.
Label every vessel with the name Maritima, the dilution strength, CAS 38462-23-6, supplier and the preparation date. Include basic hazard icons so anyone who handles the bottle knows gloves and ventilation are required.
For disposal, remember the molecule is non biodegradable. Collect any rinses, spills or expired stock in a sealed HDPE or metal can clearly marked for aromatic waste. Arrange pickup through a licensed chemical disposal service rather than pouring leftovers down the drain. Wipe tools with paper towels, place them in the same waste stream then wash glassware with warm soapy water once the bulk residue is removed.
Summary
Maritima is an IFF marine fresh ingredient that delivers a clean breezy smell of ocean air with a damp mineral nuance. It bridges citrus tops to woody or musky bases, lasts far longer than most airy notes and keeps its clarity in everything from fine fragrance to fabric conditioner.
Perfumers value it for reliable performance, mid range cost and the way it avoids the fishy facets found in some older marine materials. Dosage typically sits between traces and five percent with care taken not to push it into a dry pyridine territory.
The molecule stands up well in alcohol, detergent and conditioner bases though projection can dip in candle wax. Its moderate price and broad compatibility have earned it a steady place on many lab benches.
Commercial houses source Maritima directly from IFF in kilogram drums. Hobbyists and small brands can buy smaller lots from specialty resellers or generic makers matching the same CAS number, letting anyone add a touch of sea air to their creations without breaking the budget.