Methyl Cedryl Ketone / Vertofix
Premium Synthetic Ingredient for Perfumery
Methyl Cedryl Ketone, commercially known as Vertofix, is a powerful synthetic ingredient widely used in modern perfumery for its dry woody and ambery character. Structurally derived from cedrene, it provides high odor strength and long-lasting tenacity, with a profile richer and more persistent than Iso E Super. Vertofix enhances volume, diffusion, and fixative strength in compositions featuring cedar, amber, or dry woods. It is particularly effective in masculine, woody-amber, and fougère blends.
Premium Synthetic Ingredient for Perfumery
Methyl Cedryl Ketone, commercially known as Vertofix, is a powerful synthetic ingredient widely used in modern perfumery for its dry woody and ambery character. Structurally derived from cedrene, it provides high odor strength and long-lasting tenacity, with a profile richer and more persistent than Iso E Super. Vertofix enhances volume, diffusion, and fixative strength in compositions featuring cedar, amber, or dry woods. It is particularly effective in masculine, woody-amber, and fougère blends.
Premium Synthetic Ingredient for Perfumery
Methyl Cedryl Ketone, commercially known as Vertofix, is a powerful synthetic ingredient widely used in modern perfumery for its dry woody and ambery character. Structurally derived from cedrene, it provides high odor strength and long-lasting tenacity, with a profile richer and more persistent than Iso E Super. Vertofix enhances volume, diffusion, and fixative strength in compositions featuring cedar, amber, or dry woods. It is particularly effective in masculine, woody-amber, and fougère blends.
Synthetic Ingredient overview
🔎 Chemical name — 1-[(1R,2R,5S,7R)-2,6,6,8-tetramethyltricyclo[5.3.1.0¹,⁵]undec-8-en-9-yl]ethanone
🧪 Synonyms — Vertofix, Methyl Cedryl Ketone, Acetyl Cedrene
🧬 Chemical Formula — C₁₇H₂₈O
📂 CAS N° — 32388-55-9
📘 FEMA — Not listed
⚖️ MW — 246.4 g/mol
📝 Odor type — Woody / Ambery
📈 Odor Strength — High
👃🏼 Odor Profile — Dry, woody (cedar), amber-like, persistent
⚗️ Uses — Fixative and performance enhancer in woody, amber, fougère and masculine compositions
🧴 Appearance — Pale yellow liquid
What is Methyl Cedryl Ketone?
Methyl Cedryl Ketone is a synthetic ketone belonging to the alicyclic terpene derivatives, structurally related to natural cedrene. It is derived from hydrogenated cedarwood oil followed by ketonization. The result is a non-aromatic but highly substantive material with enhanced fixative and diffusive performance.
Known commercially under names like Vertofix or Vertofix Coeur, it has become a staple in woody-amber fragrance architecture thanks to its balance of power, tenacity, and dryness. Its chemical structure provides a rigid tricyclic backbone that contributes to its stability and low volatility.
Olfactory Profile and Perfumery Applications
Methyl Cedryl Ketone offers a dry woody scent profile with ambery undertones and a subtle cedar-like character. Unlike linear woody notes, its profile is rich and full-bodied, adding both depth and verticality to a formula.
In perfumery, it acts as:
A volume builder for woody and oriental bases
A fixative that anchors volatile materials
A modulator for drier, elegant fougère types
It is particularly effective in:
Masculine woody compositions
Leather and amber accords
Fine fragrance bases seeking long-lasting diffusion
Compared to Iso E Super, Methyl Cedryl Ketone provides greater tenacity and olfactory weight.
Industrial and Technical Uses
Methyl Cedryl Ketone is used almost exclusively in fragrance compositions and fine fragrance bases. While not approved for flavor use and not listed in FEMA, it remains a workhorse molecule in functional perfumery for:
Fine fragrance
Aftershaves and deodorants
Soaps and shower products (with heat stability)
It is not permitted in flavoring applications.
Regulatory and Safety Overview
IFRA: Methyl Cedryl Ketone is not subject to specific restrictions in current IFRA Standards (51st Amendment). Safe under normal usage levels.
EU Allergen Listing: Not classified among the 26 mandatory fragrance allergens under Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.
FEMA: Not listed in FEMA GRAS for food use.
ECHA: Registered under REACH. Not classified as hazardous under CLP Regulation.
Toxicology: No known sensitization or carcinogenic risk at standard usage levels. Considered low-risk for dermal irritation based on available safety data.
✅ Methyl Cedryl Ketone is compliant with major fragrance safety regulations and widely used within recommended concentration ranges.
Sources
IFRA Standards Documentation (51st Amendment)
ECHA Substance Information – Methyl Cedryl Ketone
PubChem Compound Summary CID 92145
Arctander, S. Perfume and Flavor Chemicals
Firmenich and Givaudan technical data on Vertofix
Internal Scentspiracy olfactory archives
