In short
beta-Ionone is a ketone with a woody violet and fruity character, found naturally in violet and osmanthus. It is one of the classic violet materials.
What beta-Ionone smells like
Beta-ionone is a woody, violet and fruity-raspberry ionone, described by most sources as darker, drier and warmer than alpha-ionone, with a cedar-like woodiness. A flavour writer found beta carrying the violet note more strongly, as the violet primary; other sources describe it as fruitier, with a recognisable raspberry tone. A notable share of people are specifically anosmic to it. It occurs in violets, osmanthus, boronia and many fruits.
- Leading note
- Woody violet
- Clear facets
- Raspberry
- Supporting facets
- Cedar-like
- Faint facets
- Tea-like
- Character
- Warm, dry, fruity, powdery
What makes beta-Ionone distinctive
Violet with wood and raspberry — the deeper, drier ionone, and the one whose smell some people simply cannot detect.
Where the descriptions disagree: Which ionone is woodier, and which fruitier, is disputed.
How beta-Ionone is used
Used in violet, woody, fruity and osmanthus compositions and in raspberry and berry flavours.
Typical role: modifier (used in small amounts to change the character of a blend).
How beta-Ionone differs from similar materials
- alpha-Ionone
- Most sources describe beta as the woodier, darker, fruitier ionone and alpha as the cleaner, sweeter violet, though one supplier disagrees. (compared directly by a cited source)
- Dihydro-beta-ionone
- A forum comparison finds beta-ionone more floral and tea-like, dihydro-beta-ionone calmer, woodier and more orris-ambery. (compared directly by a cited source)
- Boronia Absolute
- Boronia absolute is dominated by a beta-ionone violet note, wrapped in raspberry-jam, tea and hay. (compared directly by a cited source)
- Osmanthus Absolute
- Osmanthus contains beta- and dihydro-beta-ionone; the absolute adds dried apricot, leather and tea around the violet. (compared directly by a cited source)
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
Part of the population cannot smell beta-ionone well, so evaluate it with more than one nose.
Identity and classification
- Type
- Aroma chemical
- Origin
- Occurs in nature
- Odour family
- Powdery / Woody
- Note position
- Heart note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Liquid
- CAS number
- 79-77-6
- Molecular formula
- C13H20O
- Molecular weight
- 192.3 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- (E)-4-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexen-1-yl)but-3-en-2-one
The CAS number, formula and molecular weight are taken from PubChem compound 638014, whose own record lists this CAS number; checked 19 October 2026.
Safety and compliance
Hazard classification of the neat substance, as PubChem summarises it, read 26 October 2026. Companies notifying the ECHA C&L Inventory classify it (1,855 reports): H411 toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects (97.8% of reports). 40 of the reports find it does not meet the hazard criteria. 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
-
alpha-Ionone
Aroma chemical · Powdery / Fruity — violet, powdery, fruity, sweet
-
alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Aroma chemical · Powdery / Floral — powdery, violet, orris, woody
-
Raspberry Ketone
Aroma chemical · Fruity / Gourmand — raspberry, fruity, sweet, jammy
-
Osmanthus Absolute
Absolute · Floral / Fruity — apricot, leathery, floral, tea-like
-
Dihydro-beta-ionone
Aroma chemical · Woody / Powdery — woody, orris, ambery, tea
beta-Ionone is also suggested as a partner on the pages for Allyl Ionone, Azarbre, Boronia Absolute, Geranyl Acetone, Koavone and Methyl Beta Ionone.
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 28 published formulas
beta-Ionone is an ingredient in 10 perfume formulas, 17 accords and 1 base in the Formula & Accord Library.
Community formulas
RUŌOD House Originals
Original compositions by RUŌOD House.
Further reading
Questions about beta-Ionone
Is beta-Ionone natural or synthetic?
The molecule occurs in nature. Commercial beta-Ionone 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-Ionone?
79-77-6. It was checked against PubChem on 19 October 2026.
Which published formulas use beta-Ionone?
beta-Ionone is used in 28 published formulas in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library, including Açaí Accord, Banana Bread and Blueberry Accord. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Sources
- PubChem — compound 638014, checked 19 October 2026.
- PubChem — GHS classification (the ECHA C&L Inventory notifications and any harmonised EU entry), read 26 October 2026.
- Wikipedia — Ionone — published perfumery reference.
- Perfumer & Flavorist — John Wright, Flavor bites: ionone — published literature.
- De Hekserij — Ionone beta — distributor's description.
- Scent.vn — Beta ionone — distributor's description.
- Olfactory profile: the RUŌOD Lab team's synthesis of the published descriptions above, reviewed 20 October 2026. Evidence: more than one published description. Classification and the short description: revision 1. Descriptions of odour are judgement, not measurement.