What Is Okoumal?
Okoumal is a modern aroma chemical created by Givaudan that perfumers reach for when they need extra depth and warmth in the woody amber area. The same molecule is sometimes offered by other suppliers under generic labels, yet the CAS numbers 131812-67-4, 131812-52-7 and 131812-51-6 always point to the very same substance.
Its alternative name, 2,4-Dimethyl-2-(1,1,4,4-tetramethyltetralin-6-yl)-1,3-dioxolane, is a bit of a tongue-twister, so most people stick with Okoumal. In the lab it is obtained through controlled chemical synthesis that delivers a mix of cis and trans isomers, each contributing to the overall scent profile.
At room temperature the material appears as a clear to pale yellow viscous liquid. It pours slowly, clings to the sides of the bottle and has very low vapor pressure, physical traits that already hint at its staying power in a perfume.
Okoumal is considered a workhorse in fine fragrance, home fragrance and even functional products such as fabric conditioners or soaps. When stored cool and tightly sealed it usually keeps its full character for at least two years, often longer.
Cost-wise it sits in the mid range: not the cheapest woody amber note yet far from a luxury specialty, which helps explain its popularity in both prestige and mass-market formulas.
Okoumal’s Scent Description
Perfumers classify Okoumal in the ambery family. Off a blotter it first releases a smooth resinous warmth that quickly folds into dry cedar shavings and freshly cut sandalwood. Within minutes a faint pipe-tobacco nuance surfaces, rounded by a clean musky glow that keeps the whole impression silky rather than harsh.
The note progression in perfumery is often described as top, middle and base. Okoumal anchors itself in the lower part of that scale. Thanks to its substantial molecular weight and low volatility it acts as a long-lasting heart-to-base note, lending body and diffusion for many hours while still allowing brighter top notes to shine above it.
Projection is moderate yet steady. It does not jump off the skin like a citrus but forms a soft aura that lingers. On a standard blotter its presence can be detected for well over a month, proving why it is valued for fixation and dry-down richness.
How & Where To Use Okoumal
Perfumers pick Okoumal when a formula needs depth, diffusion and a polished woody amber signature that lasts well into the dry-down. It excels in modern woody ambers, tobacco accords and masculine fougères, yet it can just as easily round out a floral bouquet by lending warmth behind rose, jasmine or ylang. Whenever cedarwood molecules feel too raw or patchouli too earthy, a touch of Okoumal smooths the edges and adds plush volume.
Recommended usage sits between 0.5 % and 4 % of the total concentrate. Trace amounts (below 0.2 %) give a silky musky undertone while higher levels move the note front and center, delivering richer tobacco and amber facets. Push it past 5 % and the composition can turn heavy or plastic-like, especially in light cologne styles, so balance it with bright top notes or crisp herbs if you need to run high.
Okoumal thrives in alcohol-based fine fragrance, oil perfumes, candles, soaps and fabric softeners. It is exceptionally stable across pH, heat and oxidation which makes it a safe choice in detergent powders and liquid bleach where many naturals fail. The only weak spot is very fresh citric splashes where its heft can feel out of place.
Because the liquid is viscous you may want to pre-dilute it to 10 % in dipropylene glycol or ethanol for easier weighing and faster blending. Warming the bottle in a lukewarm water bath loosens the fluid but avoid direct heat. Always record the cis / trans content and batch number so you can reproduce the exact nuance later.
Safely Using Okoumal
Start every evaluation with a proper dilution. Measure a small amount into a dropper bottle, cut it down to 10 % or less, then smell from a blotter in a well-ventilated workspace. Never position your nose over the stock bottle. Even though Okoumal has low vapor pressure, concentrated fumes can still irritate the respiratory tract.
Gloves and safety glasses protect against splashes and skin contact. The material is classed as toxic to aquatic life and is not readily biodegradable, so prevent spills and keep it off your skin for extended periods. Some individuals may experience irritation or sensitization; discontinue contact at the first sign of redness or itching.
Consult a healthcare professional before handling if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Short encounters with diluted samples are generally considered low risk, yet ongoing exposure to high levels can stress the liver and lungs, especially in enclosed labs without extraction.
Store Okoumal in a tightly sealed amber glass bottle at 15-20 °C away from direct sunlight. Dispose of any waste or wipes via your chemical waste stream, not down the drain. Review the supplier’s most recent Safety Data Sheet and keep an eye on updates, then cross-check your intended concentration against current IFRA guidelines to confirm compliance.
How To Store & Dispose of Okoumal
Okoumal keeps best when the bottle is parked in a cool dark cupboard well away from direct sunlight or heat sources. Refrigeration at around 5 °C is not mandatory but can stretch the shelf life by slowing oxidation and polymerisation.
Use glass bottles with tight polycone caps for both neat material and any dilutions. These caps create an air-tight seal that dropper tops cannot match, preventing slow evaporation and unwanted air ingress. If you buy in bulk decant into smaller containers so each bottle stays as full as possible, further cutting down the headspace that encourages oxidation.
Label every bottle clearly with the name Okoumal, the batch number, dilution strength and key hazard symbols. Add the GHS aquatic toxicity pictogram as a reminder that spills must be avoided.
Store the containers upright in secondary containment such as a plastic tub. Keep acids, strong bases and oxidisers on separate shelves. Check the bottle threads periodically for residue and wipe them clean to maintain a perfect seal.
Waste handling requires care because Okoumal is non biodegradable and harmful to aquatic life. Collect any rinses, pipette tips or blotters that carry the material in a sealed waste jar then send them to your local hazardous waste contractor. Never pour leftover concentrate or cleaning solvent down the drain and avoid throwing impregnated wipes into household trash.
Summary
Okoumal is a Givaudan woody amber molecule that delivers smooth resinous warmth with cedar tobacco and clean musk accents. Thanks to its hefty molecular weight it anchors the heart and base of a perfume while fixing lighter notes above it.
The material is valued for its impressive stability across pH and temperature, its month-long tenacity on blotter and a mid tier price that suits both prestige and mass formulas. These traits have made it a staple in modern woody ambers, masculine fougères and even functional products like fabric softeners.
Formulators appreciate the way a one percent dose rounds rough woods yet higher levels can dominate a delicate cologne, so balance and testing remain key. Environmental considerations also matter because the molecule is not readily biodegradable and shows aquatic toxicity.
Commercial buyers can secure Okoumal directly from Givaudan under contractual supply agreements. Hobbyists and indie brands often turn to reputable resellers or generic manufacturers that offer smaller pack sizes while still referencing the same CAS numbers. Wherever you source it keep the bottles tightly sealed, log every batch and enjoy the plush lasting warmth this versatile ingredient brings to your creations.