(-)-.alpha.-Gurjunene (CAS 489-40-7) — Woody Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
(-)-.alpha.-Gurjunene
CAS 489-40-7
What Is (-)-.alpha.-Gurjunene?
(-)-α-Gurjunene is a specialized fragrance ingredient primarily used in high-end perfumery. While not commonly encountered in everyday products, it appears in niche fragrances seeking woody, balsamic complexity. This molecule matters because it adds depth and naturalistic warmth to compositions, particularly those aiming for forest-like or resinous profiles.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does (-)-.alpha.-Gurjunene Smell Like?
(-)-α-Gurjunene offers a rich, woody-balsamic profile with facets of aged cedar and warm resins. It evolves from initial peppery-woody top notes to a heart of dry, slightly smoky amber. The dry-down reveals subtle leathery undertones with exceptional tenacity. The odor profile is distinctly three-dimensional, making it valuable for creating forest floor and incense accords.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used as a supporting note to enhance the incense theme, adding dry woody complexity to the frankincense heart.
Contributes to the faux-oud effect with its woody-balsamic character, blending with cardamom and sandalwood.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: [H][C@@]12CC[C@@H](C)[C@@]3([H])CCC(C)=C3[C@]1([H])C2(C)C
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
(-)-α-Gurjunene is a sesquiterpene hydrocarbon with a bicyclic molecular structure. As the (-)-enantiomer of α-gurjunene, it exhibits distinct olfactory properties from its (+) counterpart. Synthetically produced through catalytic isomerization of other sesquiterpenes, its chirality is carefully controlled during synthesis. The molecule’s rigidity contributes to its excellent stability in fragrance bases.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 254-256 °C (estimated) |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.905-0.915 g/cm³ (estimated) |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Woody accent note |
| Home Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 8% | Base note for woody diffusions |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use in trace amounts with citrus top notes to prevent flattening of the fragrance pyramid.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Offers similar woody-spicy character but with more pronounced clove notes and better solubility in ethanol bases.
Provides comparable dry woodiness but with less balsamic depth, useful when a cleaner wood note is desired.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not currently restricted by IFRA. Listed as safe at all usage levels per IFRA 51st Amendment.
RIFM Assessment
Under evaluation by RIFM. Preliminary data suggests low sensitization potential at typical fragrance concentrations.
Sustainability
Synthetic production avoids depletion of natural sources. Current manufacturing methods use bio-based precursors from terpene streams, reducing petrochemical dependence. The molecule’s stability contributes to longer-lasting fragrances, potentially reducing reapplication frequency.
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References
- Bauer et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH. DOI:10.1002/3527600093
- IFRA Standards Library. 51st Amendment. IFRA Standards
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 489-40-7Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 204.35 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4.1🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 261 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.01 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 101.3 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.0008💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -1.036💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC1CCC2C(C2(C)C)C3=C(CCC13)C🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Heart💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 4.3 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Functional Groups | alkene💻 RDKit |
Physical data: PubChem (NIH/NLM), U.S. EPA CompTox Dashboard, EPA OPERA models, RDKit. Odor & flavor: Arctander (Perfume & Flavor Chemicals), Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, Leffingwell. Thresholds: van Gemert (Compilations of Odour Threshold Values). Regulatory: IFRA Standards 51st, FEMA GRAS. Trade names: Surburg (Common Fragrance & Flavor Materials). All data compiled and cross-referenced for perfumertools.com.
Physicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID0052126
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 204.357 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.933 g/cm^3📊 OPERA |
| Boiling Point | 265.301 °C📊 OPERA |
| Melting Point | 31.67 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 85.223 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.512 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 215.593 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 5.416 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 5.416 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 5.416 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 6.9 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0.01 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.009 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 31.466 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 0 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 64.74 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 25.665 Å^3📊 OPERA |
Data Sources:
🔬 EPA Experimental data from U.S. EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard & CTX APIs. 📊 OPERA Predicted using EPA's OPERA QSAR models. 💻 Computed Calculated from SMILES using RDKit.
