Scentenal™

€12.00

Premium Synthetic Ingredient for Perfumery

Scentenal™ (CAS 86803-90-9) is a synthetic polycyclic methoxy-aldehyde developed by Firmenich to provide a high-impact green-aldehydic and metallic-ozonic freshness. With a strong diffusive power and exceptional stability under alkaline and oxidative conditions, it delivers a crisp, watery-floral and marine profile with cucumber-like facets.

Ideal for fine fragrance accents and functional perfumery, it enhances freshness and longevity even at very low concentrations.

Premium Synthetic Ingredient for Perfumery

Scentenal™ (CAS 86803-90-9) is a synthetic polycyclic methoxy-aldehyde developed by Firmenich to provide a high-impact green-aldehydic and metallic-ozonic freshness. With a strong diffusive power and exceptional stability under alkaline and oxidative conditions, it delivers a crisp, watery-floral and marine profile with cucumber-like facets.

Ideal for fine fragrance accents and functional perfumery, it enhances freshness and longevity even at very low concentrations.

Technical Ingredient Overview

  • 🏭 Manufacturer — Firmenich

  • 🔎 Chemical Name — 4,7-Methano-1H-indene-2-carboxaldehyde, octahydro-5-methoxy- (IUPAC)

  • 🧪 Synonyms — Scentenal™

    • Octahydro-5-methoxyindanecarboxaldehyde

    • 4,7-Methano-1H-indene-2-carboxaldehyde, octahydro-5-methoxy-

    • 6-Methoxy dicyclopentadiene carboxaldehyde

  • 📂 CAS — 86803-90-9

  • 📘 FEMA — Not listed

  • ⚖️ MW — 194.27 g/mol

  • 📝 Odor Type — Green-aldehydic, watery-floral, marine; an ozonic aldehyde and functional green aldehyde

  • 📈 Odor Strength — Strong diffuser

  • 👃🏼 Odor Profile — Metallic-ozonic sparkle, wet-grass freshness, crisp cucumber facets

    • Modifiers/Dry-down: Watery floral and marine nuances

  • ⚗️ Uses — Functional perfumery (laundry, home care), fine fragrance accents; ideal ozonic lift at ~10 ppm

  • 🧴 Appearance — Colorless to pale yellow liquid

What is Scentenal™?

Scentenal™ is a specialty fragrance ingredient developed by Firmenich, characterized chemically as a polycyclic methoxy-aldehyde. It is specifically engineered to provide a long-lasting metallic-green freshness combined with strong diffusion, often classified as a high-performance ozonic aldehyde (Firmenich, 2023). Due to its distinctive bicyclic molecular architecture, Scentenal™ exhibits remarkable stability, particularly under alkaline and oxidative conditions, making it highly effective in challenging fragrance formulations (Sell, 2019; Kraft, 2012). This durability, combined with its unique olfactory profile, positions it as a preferred choice in both fine fragrance and functional perfumery, serving as an innovative building block for sustainable aquatic, green, and fresh fragrance concepts.

Historical Background

Firmenich has not publicly disclosed the exact year of introduction for Scentenal™; however, its development can be contextualized within the company's ongoing exploration of innovative aldehydic materials, specifically following the commercial success of Calone® in the 1990s. Scentenal™ emerged from Firmenich’s targeted research into polycyclic aldehydes, aiming to overcome the limitations of traditional linear aldehydes such as C9-aldehydes, which often degrade quickly under formulation conditions (Kraft, 2012; Sell, 2019). Leveraging advances in fragrance chemistry, Firmenich created Scentenal™ to offer perfumers a more robust, stable, and enduring green-ozonic note. This positioned Scentenal™ prominently within the evolution of marine and watery fragrance ingredients, enabling the crafting of new, contemporary, and eco-conscious olfactory experiences.

Olfactory Profile

Scentenal™ is a distinctive olfactory molecule belonging to the green-aldehydic and metallic-ozonic fragrance families. Renowned for its metallic freshness and remarkable ozonic sparkle, Scentenal™ conjures vivid impressions of freshly cut grass, morning dew on green foliage, and the crisp, watery freshness of cucumber skin. Its pronounced aldehydic notes immediately communicate cleanliness and airy freshness, making it particularly suitable for perfumers aiming to develop contemporary aquatic and marine perfumes. Beyond its compelling top-note effect, Scentenal™ reveals subtle but sophisticated nuances, characterized by watery-floral and delicate marine undertones. These facets enable perfumers to build refined aromatic compositions ranging from elegant cucumber-melon blends to innovative interpretations of ocean-breeze fragrances. The molecular structure of Scentenal™ ensures prolonged aromatic clarity and stability, perfectly aligning with the technical and environmental demands of modern fragrance formulation. Scentenal™ also demonstrates excellent synergy with related fragrance materials, enhancing complex green-ozonic accords, particularly when paired with complementary aldehydes such as Cyclamen aldehyde or Undecavertol. Additionally, it harmonizes effectively with melon aldehydes, green ionones, and iconic marine ingredients like Calone®, expanding creative possibilities for sophisticated aquatic fragrance concepts. Its versatile profile meets the growing consumer demand for sustainable, eco-conscious ingredients, positioning Scentenal™ as an essential component in forward-thinking fragrance development.

Industrial & Technical Uses

Scentenal™ is extensively employed across a wide variety of industrial and technical fragrance applications, notably within the household care and fabric care sectors. Its unique aldehydic structure delivers exceptional performance in laundry detergents and fabric softeners, imparting a long-lasting, clean, and freshly-washed aroma even at very low concentrations. Its robust olfactory stability in alkaline media and bleach-containing formulations ensures persistent effectiveness in challenging environments such as household surface cleaners, disinfectants, and dishwashing products. Moreover, Scentenal™’s powerful diffusive quality makes it ideal for air care products, including air fresheners, diffusers, and room sprays, providing a consistent, crisp freshness that resonates with contemporary consumer preferences. Its reliable performance and compatibility with diverse chemical bases underscore its importance in functional perfumery, allowing formulators to create innovative scent profiles that effectively combine technical rigor with appealing sensory experiences.

Widely employed in:

  • Laundry detergents & fabric softeners

  • Surface cleaners & disinfectants

  • Air fresheners & diffusers

  • Dishwashing formulations

Regulatory & Safety Overview

  • IFRA Status — Not restricted (Amendment 51)

  • EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC 1223/2009) — Permitted; does not contain any of the 26 Annex III fragrance allergens at ≥0.01% (Reg 1223/2009)

  • FEMA — Not listed

  • Toxicology — Low acute toxicity; non-bioaccumulative


References