What Is Tetrahydro Myrcenol?
Tetrahydro Myrcenol is an aroma chemical used by perfumers to bring a bright citrus lift to many types of fragrances. The material is produced by International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF), though other suppliers sell similar versions under different trade names. IFF makes it from renewable botanical sources, then hydrogenates the parent molecule myrcenol to create a more stable, milder smelling ingredient.
At room temperature the substance is a clear, colorless liquid that feels slightly oily between the fingers. It pours easily and blends well with most fragrance oils and alcohol bases. Because the raw material starts out as a by-product of the food or paper industries, Tetrahydro Myrcenol is considered upcycled and fits well with modern sustainability goals. It is also vegan friendly and readily breaks down in the environment once released.
Within the perfume world the ingredient is very well known. You will find it in everyday soaps, fabric conditioners and many fine fragrances that aim for a sparkling citrus note with good staying power. When stored tightly closed in a cool, dark place it keeps its quality for roughly two years before the scent begins to fade or discolor. Pricing sits in the mid-range for aroma chemicals so it is neither a luxury rarity nor a bargain-basement additive, making it popular for both mass-market and niche formulas.
Tetrahydro Myrcenol’s Scent Description
This ingredient is grouped in the citrus family. On a blotter it opens with a gentle burst of fresh lime peel followed by a sweet, almost lemonade nuance. A soft floral whisper drifts in after a minute or two, giving the impression of orange blossom water mixed with crushed green leaves. The overall effect is smooth and airy rather than sharp or acidic.
Perfumers often speak of top, middle and base notes to describe how a perfume unfolds over time. Top notes are the first impression, middle notes build the heart of the scent and base notes create the lasting dry-down. Tetrahydro Myrcenol sits at the boundary between top and middle. It lifts the opening yet lingers long enough to bridge into the heart, helping citrus accords stay present for several hours instead of vanishing quickly.
Projection is moderate so it radiates a clean freshness without overpowering a room. On skin the molecule typically remains noticeable for three to four hours before slipping into the background, although in fabric care products it can survive a full wash cycle thanks to its good stability.
How & Where To Use Tetrahydro Myrcenol
Perfumers pick up Tetrahydro Myrcenol when they need a soft citrus lift that lasts longer than straight lemon oils yet feels less harsh than pure terpenes. It shines in lime accords, modern fougères, light musks and even fresh woods where a gentle zest can brighten the top without taking over the heart.
Usage usually sits anywhere from a trace level up to about 5 % of the total concentrate. At 0.1 % it simply polishes other notes, smoothing aldehydes or green facets. Around 1–2 % its floral lime character becomes noticeable and links top and mid notes. Push it toward 4–5 % and the material turns more leafy and lavender like, which can crowd delicate flowers and tip a blend toward soapiness.
The ingredient works best in fine fragrance, fabric softener and liquid soap where its stability is rated good to excellent. It performs only moderately in powder detergent and may drop out or dull over time, so consider encapsulation or a helper citrus if the base is very alkaline.
Overuse can flatten freshness by lending a waxy terpene film, especially in minimalist colognes. It can also mask crisp bergamot or grapefruit effects if dosed too high. When in doubt start low, let it rest overnight then re-smell before increasing.
Preparation is simple: pre-dilute to 10 % in ethanol or dipropylene glycol to aid accurate weighing and safer evaluation. The liquid pours easily but can thicken in cold rooms, so warm the closed bottle to room temperature and shake gently before measuring. Clean pipettes and glassware with alcohol right after use to prevent lingering citrus notes that might skew later trials.
Blend Tetrahydro Myrcenol early in the build so you can judge how it knits with top notes. It tolerates gentle heating when compounding bases but avoid high shear mixing, which can boost evaporation and skew the initial smell test.
Safely Using Tetrahydro Myrcenol
Dilution is key: always make a working solution before smelling or blending. Avoid direct sniffing from the bottle and instead use a blotter dipped in the dilute. Work in a well-ventilated space or under a fume hood to keep vapor levels low. Wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses to protect skin and eyes from splashes.
Like many aroma materials this molecule may cause skin irritation or trigger allergies in sensitive individuals. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding consult your doctor before handling any fragrance chemicals. Short, low-level exposure is generally considered safe but repeated or high-concentration contact can lead to headaches, respiratory discomfort or dermatitis.
Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use, store it at 10–25 °C away from direct sunlight and segregate it from strong acids or oxidizers. Wipe spills with absorbent paper soaked in alcohol then seal the waste in a labeled container for chemical disposal according to local rules.
Before each project review the latest safety data sheet supplied by your distributor because classifications and limits can change. Follow current IFRA guidelines for maximum allowable levels in every product type to protect both maker and consumer.
How To Store & Dispose of Tetrahydro Myrcenol
Store the neat material in a cool dark place at 10-25 °C with the cap tightly closed. A fridge set for fragrance raw materials can slow oxidation and add an extra year or two of freshness, though it is not strictly required.
Glass bottles with polycone caps give the best seal. Skip dropper tops or push-on pipettes as they let air creep in and push aroma out. After pouring, top the bottle with an inert gas or simply move the liquid to a smaller container so headspace stays minimal.
Keep dilutions in the same style bottles and label each one with the INCI or common name, the percentage, date made and any hazard symbols from the safety data sheet. Clear labels save time in the lab and prevent mix-ups with similar looking materials.
Place all stock away from acids, bases or strong oxidizers and never leave it sitting in direct sunlight. If the liquid grows cloudy or the smell turns harsh, assume it has oxidized and retire the batch.
For spills blot with paper towel, rinse the area with alcohol then bag the waste for chemical collection. Small unwanted amounts can often go in the same solvent waste drum you use for ethanol or DPG because the ingredient is readily biodegradable, but always check local rules first.
Do not pour leftovers down the sink unless your municipal guidelines say it is safe. When in doubt hand the container to a licensed disposal service that handles fragrance chemicals.
Summary
Tetrahydro Myrcenol is a renewable citrus aroma chemical from IFF that smells like soft lime with a light floral twist. It bridges bright top notes and gentle floral hearts while lasting longer than most pure citrus oils.
The material is popular in fine fragrance, fabric conditioner and soap thanks to its smooth profile good stability and mid-range cost. It blends easily yet can mute sharper fruits if overdosed so start low and build up.
Store it cool, keep bottles full and choose tight polycone caps to protect the scent. Disposal is simple because the molecule is readily biodegradable but still follow local chemical waste rules.
Commercial buyers can source factory-sealed drums from IFF or major distributors. Hobbyists and small brands will find smaller bottles through reseller websites or generic makers that offer the same CAS 18479-57-7 material for testing and short runs.