Tabanone
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Tabanone (CAS 13215-88-8) is a synthetic unsaturated ketone developed by Symrise, used to impart a warm, balsamic, and blond tobacco character in perfumery. It is an isomeric mixture known for its medium-to-high strength and elegant aromatic profile combining fruity warmth with soft leather and spicy nuances. Tabanone functions as a heart note booster and mid-base connector, enhancing structure and persistence in tobacco, floral, amber, and woody compositions.
Premium Synthetic Ingredient for Perfumery
Tabanone (CAS 13215-88-8) is a synthetic unsaturated ketone developed by Symrise, used to impart a warm, balsamic, and blond tobacco character in perfumery. It is an isomeric mixture known for its medium-to-high strength and elegant aromatic profile combining fruity warmth with soft leather and spicy nuances. Tabanone functions as a heart note booster and mid-base connector, enhancing structure and persistence in tobacco, floral, amber, and woody compositions.
Premium Synthetic Ingredient for Perfumery
Tabanone (CAS 13215-88-8) is a synthetic unsaturated ketone developed by Symrise, used to impart a warm, balsamic, and blond tobacco character in perfumery. It is an isomeric mixture known for its medium-to-high strength and elegant aromatic profile combining fruity warmth with soft leather and spicy nuances. Tabanone functions as a heart note booster and mid-base connector, enhancing structure and persistence in tobacco, floral, amber, and woody compositions.
Synthetic Ingredient Overview
🏭 Manufacturer: Symrise
🔎 Chemical Name: (4E)-4-[(2Z)-But-2-en-1-ylidene]-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-one (isomeric mixture)
🧪 Synonyms: Tabanone
🧬 Chemical Formula: C₁₃H₁₈O
📂 CAS N°: 13215-88-8
📘 FEMA: 4663
⚖️ Molecular Weight: 190.28 g/mol
📝 Odor Type: Tobacco
📈 Odor Strength: Medium to high
👃🏼 Odor Profile: Balsamic, blond tobacco, aromatic-spicy with radiant, fruity warmth
⚗️ Uses: Heart note booster; enhances tobacco, leather, floral, and aromatic accords
🧴 Appearance: Clear to pale yellow liquid (Symrise spec.)
What is Tabanone?
Tabanone is a synthetic fragrance molecule classified as a cyclohexenone derivative, introduced by Symrise as a tobacco-type building block for fine fragrance creation. Structurally, it is a mixture of geometric isomers, contributing to its radiant and layered odor profile. Unlike traditional tobacco aromatics (e.g., isobutyl quinoline or phenolic tars), Tabanone is smooth, clean, and modern in character, reminiscent of blond tobacco with balsamic warmth, fruit-leather accents, and a persistent aromatic trail.
Thanks to its polarity and volatility profile, it operates well in the heart note zone, with extension into the base, supporting both diffusion and retention in drydowns.
Olfactory Profile & Perfumery Applications
👃🏼 Scent Breakdown:
Top: Light spicy-aromatic
Heart: Blond tobacco, leathery, fruity-balsamic
Base: Warm, slightly woody-dry with radiant lift
⚗️ Functional Roles:
Reinforces modern fougère and aromatic structures
Enhances leather, tobacco, and spiced floral hearts
Useful in fruit-laced oriental or dark floral compositions
Supports dry amber and cistus-based bases
🧪 Synergistic Blending:
Hedione HC – to add freshness and luminosity
Iso E Super – to reinforce diffusion and woody smoothness
Suederal / Kephalis – to deepen leather-amber facets
Patchouli Crude Oil – for earthy-balsamic base pairing
Cinnamic Alcohol – for sweet-spice reinforcement
🔬 Recommended usage levels: 0.1% to 1.0% in concentrate (Symrise)
Industrial & Technical Uses
Fine fragrance: Used in niche perfumes with tobacco, leather, and woody themes
Air care and ambiance: Suitable for cozy, tobacco-inspired home fragrance
Flavor applications: FEMA GRAS 4663 – permitted under controlled flavor use (e.g., tobacco flavor mimicry)
Functional fragrance: Adds warmth and roundness in masculine bath products or shaving lines
Regulatory & Safety Overview
IFRA: Not restricted under current IFRA 51st Amendment
EU Allergens: Not listed among the 26 declarable allergens
FEMA GRAS: FEMA 4663 – approved for flavor use
ECHA (REACH): Compliant and not classified as hazardous
Toxicology Notes:
No sensitization or phototoxicity under standard usage
Stable in alcohol-based systems
Biodegradability not classified as PBT or vPvB
✅ Considered safe for regulated perfumery use under normal concentration limits.
Sources
Symrise Ingredient Brochure: Tabanone
FEMA GRAS Database
Arcadi Boix Camps – Perfumery Writings, 1985
IFRA Standards Documentation
PubChem Chemistry Database
Fulvio Ciccolo – Scentspiracy Notes
