In short
Cetalox is dsm-firmenich's ambroxide, sold under its own CAS separately from the (-)-isomer Ambroxan. Firmenich describes it as an extremely powerful, elegant ambery note with a strong woody character.
What Cetalox smells like
Firmenich describes Cetalox as an extremely powerful and elegant ambery note with a strong woody character, for uses from sheer florals to modern ambers. Retailers describe a warm, dry woody amber that reads as soft synthetic ambergris, creamier and more skin-like than the crystalline laevo forms; one informal comparison found it warmer and less woody than Ambroxan.
- Leading note
- Amber
- Clear facets
- Woody
- Supporting facets
- Ambergris
- Faint facets
- Skin-like
- Character
- Powerful, warm, tenacious
What makes Cetalox distinctive
An ambroxide that some find warmer and more skin-like than the single isomer.
Where the descriptions disagree: Firmenich stresses a strong woody character; some retailers find it warmer and less woody than Ambroxan.
How Cetalox is used
Firmenich positions it across fragrance types, from sheer florals to modern ambers.
Typical role: fixative (slow to evaporate; helps a blend last and holds lighter notes); backbone (used in large proportions as a structural material of an accord).
How Cetalox differs from similar materials
- Z11
- Z11 is the drier, sleeker ambery wood, with a strong trigeminal bite; Cetalox is the ambroxide some find warmer and more skin-like.
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
Sources disagree on whether it is the racemate or a diastereoisomeric mixture; it is not the single (-)-isomer sold as Ambroxan.
Identity and classification
- Type
- Aroma chemical
- Origin
- Synthetic
- Odour family
- Amber / Woody
- Note position
- Base note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Solid
- Also known as
- (±)-Ambroxide
- CAS number
- 3738-00-9
- Molecular formula
- C16H28O
- Molecular weight
- 236.39 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- 3a,6,6,9a-tetramethyl-2,4,5,5a,7,8,9,9b-octahydro-1H-benzo[e][1]benzofuran
The CAS number, formula and molecular weight are taken from PubChem compound 107166, whose own record lists this CAS number; checked 24 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 report it as not meeting the GHS hazard criteria (1,558 of 1,559 reports). 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
-
Ambroxan
Aroma chemical · Amber / Woody — amber, ambergris, woody, mineral
-
Iso E Super
Aroma chemical · Woody / Amber — woody, velvety, amber, cedar
-
Hedione
Aroma chemical · Floral / Citrus — jasmine, transparent, citrus, airy
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 32 published formulas
Cetalox is an ingredient in 28 perfume formulas and 4 accords in the Formula & Accord Library.
Community formulas
RUŌOD House Originals
Original compositions by RUŌOD House.
Further reading
Questions about Cetalox
Is Cetalox natural or synthetic?
Cetalox is synthetic — it is made by chemical synthesis.
What is the CAS number of Cetalox?
3738-00-9. It was checked against PubChem on 24 October 2026.
Which published formulas use Cetalox?
Cetalox is used in 32 published formulas in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library, including Agar Lantern, Amber Accord and Beeswax Throne. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Sources
- PubChem — compound 107166, checked 24 October 2026.
- PubChem — GHS classification (the ECHA C&L Inventory notifications and any harmonised EU entry), read 26 October 2026.
- dsm-firmenich — Cetalox (PE 922560) — manufacturer's description.
- Scentspiracy — Ambroxan and Cetalox differences — 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.