What Is Neofolione?
Neofolione is a modern aroma chemical created for perfumery use, first introduced to the market in the late 1960s as a successor to the older material known as Folione. It is produced entirely through synthetic processes, typically starting from petrochemical or pine-derived terpenes that are converted into a bicyclic ester by a series of straightforward reactions. Because the route is well established and uses common feedstocks, the material is generally considered affordable for large scale fragrance work.
At room temperature Neofolione appears as a clear to very slightly yellow liquid with a medium viscosity that pours easily. It is supplied in drums or smaller aluminium containers and stays fluid in normal warehouse conditions, which simplifies handling on the compounding bench.
Perfumers reach for Neofolione when they need a reliable, high impact modifier that brings clarity and lift to floral accords. Its ability to blend seamlessly with violet facets has made it a workhorse in fabric care, soaps, air fresheners and fine fragrance alike. Thanks to good shelf stability and compatibility with most raw materials it slots neatly into both entry level and prestige formulas without adding excessive cost.
What Does Neofolione Smell Like?
Neofolione sits firmly in the green olfactory family. Off a blotter it opens with a brisk snap of cut leaves, quickly followed by a cool floral nuance that many perfumers compare to crushed violet petals. A fresh almost dewy sensation rides above the structure, giving the impression of morning air passing through a garden after light rain. The overall character is clean, lively and quite powerful without feeling harsh.
In the classic fragrance pyramid top notes appear first then taper into the heart while base notes linger the longest. Neofolione behaves as a robust top to mid note bridge. It flashes quickly in the opening, provides a bright link into the floral heart then fades before the drydown takes full hold. On a standard blotter it remains evident for roughly 16 hours which makes it far longer lasting than most other green modifiers yet it will not weigh down a composition.
Projection is moderate to strong during the first few hours, giving an immediate feeling of freshness in the air around the wearer or product. As time passes it settles closer to the surface, allowing supporting notes to take center stage while still contributing a subtle leafy aura in the background.
How & Where To Use Neofolione
Neofolione is one of those friendly ingredients that makes a perfumer’s day a little easier. It pours cleanly, blends fast and rarely throws surprises in a formula.
In a composition it shines as a green booster that bridges top and heart notes. Perfumers slot it into violet, muguet or general leafy accords when they want instant lift without the harsh edge that some sharper greens can bring. If Folione or cis-3-Hexenol feel too raw or fleeting Neofolione is the next pick thanks to its smoother profile and longer life.
Typical use sits between 0.05 % and 0.5 % in fine fragrance and up to 2 % in functional products such as soap, fabric conditioner or detergent where burn and bloom matter more than subtlety. Trace amounts add a gentle dewiness while higher doses create a vivid freshly cut grass effect that can dominate lighter florals, so balance is key.
Its excellent stability in high pH makes it a hero for bar soap, laundry powders and bleach cleaners where many naturals would fade or discolor. It also survives the heat of candles and air freshener wicks with strong throw. The only area where it struggles is alcohol-free aerosols that demand ultra-low toxicity scores, as its ecotoxicity rating can raise flags.
No special prep work is usually required. A quick pre-dilution to 10 % in ethanol or dipropylene glycol helps with accurate weighing for small batches and lets you judge its freshness effect before committing to the full dose.
Safety Information
Working with Neofolione is straightforward yet a few standard precautions keep both the perfumer and the lab safe.
- Always dilute before smelling: Prepare a 1 % or 10 % solution and waft from a blotter rather than sniffing the neat liquid
- Ventilation: Blend and evaluate in a well-ventilated space to avoid inhaling concentrated vapors
- Personal protective equipment: Wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses to prevent skin or eye contact
- Health considerations: Some users may experience irritation or sensitivity. Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should consult a doctor before prolonged handling. Short low-level exposure is generally safe but high levels or extended contact can be harmful
Always review the latest Material Safety Data Sheet from your supplier, keep an eye on updates and follow current IFRA guidelines for maximum concentration in finished products to ensure consumer safety.
Storage And Disposal
When kept under ideal conditions Neofolione remains in spec for roughly three to four years from the date of manufacture. Many perfumers stretch that to five years if the material has been stored cold and protected from air.
Refrigeration is not mandatory yet a spot in a dedicated scent fridge at 4-8 °C slows oxidation and keeps the aroma crisp. If fridge space is limited a cool cupboard or climate-controlled warehouse kept below 20 °C works as long as the bottles stay out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources such as radiators or hot plates.
Choose containers with tight polycone seals for both neat material and dilutions. Dropper bottles often leak vapor and let oxygen creep in so reserve them for short-term evaluation only. Top up bottles whenever practical to minimize the headspace that promotes oxidation and label each vessel clearly with the name Neofolione, its concentration and any hazard pictograms.
Keep stock on a first-in first-out rotation, wipe threads after every pour to prevent crusting and store incompatible acids or oxidizers on a separate shelf.
Although Neofolione is readily biodegradable its ecotoxicity rating means large volumes should not enter drains or regular trash. Collect rinses and expired product in a marked solvent waste can and hand it to an approved chemical disposal service. Small lab wipes lightly damp with the material can go in sealed burnable waste following local regulations.
Summary
Neofolione is a synthetic green booster with a fresh leafy-violet scent that perks up almost any floral or outdoor accord. Affordable, easy to handle and impressively stable across high-pH cleaners it earns a spot on both artisan and industrial benches.
A sprinkle at trace levels adds morning-dew brightness while higher doses give a bold cut-grass rush perfect for soaps candles and detergents. It blends nicely with violets muguet citrus and woods so experimentation is half the fun.
The material is durable and low cost yet users should remember its moderate toxicity in aquatic tests and store it tightly capped to avoid oxidation that dulls the scent. Factor in those points and Neofolione stays a reliable go-to for lively modern freshness across countless perfumery projects.