Caryophyllene Oxide

What Caryophyllene Oxide smells like

Caryophyllene oxide is woody and ambery in supplier listings, or simply woody; a vendor describes it as woody, spicy and slightly camphoraceous with earthy undertones. Its descriptors are less consistent than those of beta-caryophyllene, from which it forms by oxidation. Its clove association comes mostly from its occurrence in clove oil rather than from odour descriptions. Fraterworks describes white crystals with a sweet, woody, dry character, fresh spicy undertones and a subtle ambergris-like warmth reminiscent of aged cedar and antique furniture, used as a woody-spicy modifier that adds dry elegance to floral and oriental bases.

Leading note

Dry wood

Supporting facets

Amber

Faint facets

Camphoraceous, earthy

Character

Dry, soft, tenacious

• woody
• spicy
• dry
• amber

What makes Caryophyllene Oxide distinctive

Caryophyllene softened by oxidation: less spice, more wood and amber.

How Caryophyllene Oxide is used

Used as a dry woody-amber modifier in woody and amber compositions.

Typical role: modifier (used in small amounts to change the character of a blend).

How Caryophyllene Oxide differs from similar materials

beta-Caryophyllene

beta-Caryophyllene is the drier, clove-like spice; the oxide is woodier and more ambery, slightly camphoraceous.

Each difference compares the published descriptions of the two materials. Smell varies with grade, supplier and dilution; compare them side by side on blotters before substituting one for another.

Formulation considerations

A solid; dissolve before use.

Identity and classification

Type

Aroma chemical

Origin

Occurs in nature

Odour family

Woody / Spicy

Note position

Base note

Physical form at room temperature

Solid

Also known as

beta-Caryophyllene oxide

CAS number

1139-30-6

Molecular formula

C15H24O

Molecular weight

220.35 g/mol

IUPAC name

(1R,4R,6R,10S)-4,12,12-trimethyl-9-methylidene-5-oxatricyclo[8.2.0.04,6]dodecane

The CAS number, formula and molecular weight are taken from PubChem compound 1742210, 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 (320 reports): H411 toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects (68.8% of reports); H315 causes skin irritation (45.9% of reports); H319 causes serious eye irritation (45.9% of reports). 59 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

• beta-Caryophyllene

  Aroma chemical · Spicy / Woody — spicy, woody, peppery, dry

• Clove Bud Oil

  Essential oil · Spicy / Floral — clove, spicy, warm, sweet

• Lavender Oil

  Essential oil · Aromatic / Floral — lavender, herbal, floral, fresh

• Cedrol

  Natural isolate · Woody / Musky — woody, cedar, faint, dry

Used in formulas and accords

Not currently used in any published formula.

The Formula & Accord Library lists Caryophyllene Oxide here as soon as a published formula, accord or base uses it.

Further reading

• Woody Notes in Perfumery: Naturals and Aroma Chemicals

  A map of woody materials — cedarwoods, sandalwood, vetiver, patchouli, smoky woods and woody aroma chemicals — and how to build a woody base.

Questions about Caryophyllene Oxide

Sources

• PubChem — compound 1742210, checked 19 October 2026.
• PubChem — GHS classification (the ECHA C&L Inventory notifications and any harmonised EU entry), read 26 October 2026.
• The Good Scents Company — caryophyllene oxide — odour database.
• Merck — caryophyllene oxide — manufacturer's description.
• Fraterworks — Caryophyllene Oxide — distributor's description.
• Olfactory profile: the RUŌOD Lab team's synthesis of the published descriptions above, reviewed 26 October 2026. Evidence: more than one published description. Classification and the short description: revision 1. Descriptions of odour are judgement, not measurement.