In short
beta-Damascone is one of the rose ketones, related to the trace constituents that carry much of rose oil's diffusion. It gives a powerful fruity-rose note with plum and blackcurrant facets.
What beta-Damascone smells like
Beta-damascone is the richer, darker damascone: stewed plum, blackcurrant preserve and sun-warmed tobacco leaf with a wine-like undertone, in one glossary's words. Suppliers describe it as richer and deeper than alpha-damascone, with more warmth and fruit-leather tones. It is powerful and long-lasting, and restricted by IFRA together with the other rose ketones.
- Leading note
- Dark fruity rose
- Clear facets
- Plum, blackcurrant
- Supporting facets
- Tobacco
- Faint facets
- Winey
- Character
- Rich, warm, dark, powerful
What makes beta-Damascone distinctive
Plum and tobacco — the deep, jammy damascone, where alpha is green apple.
Concentration and dilution
Very potent; used in traces from a dilution.
How beta-Damascone is used
Used in traces in rose, chypre, fruity and tobacco compositions; capped with the other rose ketones by IFRA.
Typical role: modifier (used in small amounts to change the character of a blend).
How beta-Damascone differs from similar materials
- alpha-Damascone
- Suppliers describe alpha as lighter and fruitier, greener with apple and mint; beta is richer and deeper, with plum, blackcurrant and tobacco. (compared directly by a cited source)
- beta-Damascenone
- Damascenone is a baked-apple, honeyed rose; beta-damascone is darker plum and blackcurrant, with tobacco.
- delta-Damascone
- Delta-damascone is described as fruitier and less rose than beta-damascone, with plum and blackcurrant.
An asterisk marks a difference that a cited source states directly. The others compare the published descriptions of each material. Smell varies with grade, supplier and dilution; compare them side by side on blotters before substituting one for another.
Formulation considerations
Extremely potent; dose from a high dilution. Rose ketones are covered by an IFRA Standard.
Identity and classification
- Type
- Aroma chemical
- Origin
- Occurs in nature
- Odour family
- Fruity / Floral
- Note position
- Heart note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Liquid
- CAS number
- 23726-91-2
- Molecular formula
- C13H20O
- Molecular weight
- 192.3 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- (E)-1-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexen-1-yl)but-2-en-1-one
The CAS number, formula and molecular weight are taken from PubChem compound 5374527, whose own record lists this CAS number; checked 19 October 2026.
Safety and compliance
The IFRA Standards Library lists a Standard covering beta-Damascone:
- "Rose ketones" — Restriction, 49th Amendment, published 2020-01
Limits differ by product category and are set out in the Standard itself; this page does not reproduce them. The list above reflects the library as read on 19 October 2026.
Hazard classification of the neat substance, as PubChem summarises it, read 26 October 2026. Companies notifying the ECHA C&L Inventory classify it (610 reports): H317 may cause an allergic skin reaction (99.8% of reports); H315 causes skin irritation (23% of reports); H411 toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects (23% of reports). A skin sensitiser classification concerns handling the neat material and the dose in a finished product; the IFRA Standards, where they apply, set the limits. Unless it is harmonised, this is the notifiers' own classification, not a binding one.
This page is general information, not a safety assessment or a specification. Confirm identity, composition, IFRA status and allergen content from your supplier's documents for the lot you hold.
Materials it works with
-
beta-Damascenone
Aroma chemical · Fruity / Floral — fruity, cooked apple, plum, rose
-
alpha-Damascone
Aroma chemical · Fruity / Floral — fruity, apple, rose, green
-
Rose Oil (Rosa damascena)
Essential oil · Floral / Fruity — rose, honeyed, spicy, fresh
-
Phenylethyl Alcohol
Aroma chemical · Floral / Green — rose, honeyed, soft, floral
-
delta-Damascone
Aroma chemical · Fruity / Floral — fruity, rosy, plum, blackcurrant
beta-Damascone is also suggested as a partner on the pages for Blackcurrant Bud Absolute, Pomarose, Pyroprunat and Rose Absolute (Rosa centifolia).
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 13 published formulas
beta-Damascone is an ingredient in 1 perfume formula, 11 accords and 1 base in the Formula & Accord Library.
Community formulas
RUŌOD House Originals
Original compositions by RUŌOD House.
Further reading
Questions about beta-Damascone
Is beta-Damascone natural or synthetic?
The molecule occurs in nature. Commercial beta-Damascone may be made by synthesis or obtained from natural sources, so check the supplier's specification if the distinction matters to you.
What is the CAS number of beta-Damascone?
23726-91-2. It was checked against PubChem on 19 October 2026.
Which published formulas use beta-Damascone?
beta-Damascone is used in 13 published formulas in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library, including Açaí Accord, Aperol Spritz Accord and Blackberry Accord. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Is beta-Damascone covered by an IFRA Standard?
Yes. The IFRA Standards Library lists a Standard covering it: "Rose ketones" — Restriction, 49th Amendment. The limits depend on the product category; read the Standard itself before formulating.
Sources
- PubChem — compound 5374527, checked 19 October 2026.
- PubChem — GHS classification (the ECHA C&L Inventory notifications and any harmonised EU entry), read 26 October 2026.
- IFRA — Standards Library, read 19 October 2026.
- Premiere Peau — Beta damascone — published perfumery reference.
- Bioshop — Beta damascone — distributor's description.
- Premiere Peau — Damascone — published perfumery reference.
- Olfactory profile: the RUŌOD Lab team's synthesis of the published descriptions above, reviewed 20 October 2026. Evidence: several independent published descriptions, which agree. Classification and the short description: revision 1. Descriptions of odour are judgement, not measurement.