In short
cis-6-Nonenal is an unsaturated aldehyde with a melon-like odour, used in traces for melon and cucumber effects.
What cis-6-Nonenal smells like
JECFA describes cis-6-nonenal as a colourless to pale yellow liquid with a melon-like odour. Bedoukian, as The Good Scents Company quotes it, describes a powerful, fresh citrus, cucumber and melon odour, and Gerard Mosciano's 1995 evaluation is green cucumber and melon with a waxy vegetative nuance.
- Leading note
- Melon
What makes cis-6-Nonenal distinctive
A melon note in a single aldehyde, as JECFA describes it.
How cis-6-Nonenal is used
Bedoukian, as The Good Scents Company quotes it, suggests it for melon flavours, especially cantaloupe and watermelon. In perfumery it is used in traces for the same fresh melon and cucumber note, beside other melon aldehydes, from dilution because of its power.
Typical role: modifier (used in small amounts to change the character of a blend).
How cis-6-Nonenal differs from similar materials
- cis-6-Nonenol
- cis-6-Nonenol, the alcohol, is the sweeter, softer honeydew melon; the aldehyde is fresher and more powerful, with citrus and cucumber.
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
Potent; work from dilution.
Identity and classification
- Type
- Aroma chemical
- Origin
- Occurs in nature
- Odour family
- Fruity
- Note position
- Top note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Liquid
- Also known as
- (Z)-6-Nonenal, Melon aldehyde (cis-6-nonenal)
- CAS number
- 2277-19-2
- Molecular formula
- C9H16O
- Molecular weight
- 140.22 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- (Z)-non-6-enal
The CAS number, formula and molecular weight are taken from PubChem compound 5362720, 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 classify it (1,516 reports): H315 causes skin irritation (89.2% of reports). 164 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
-
Melonal
Aroma chemical · Aquatic / Fruity — melon, watery, green, fresh
-
2,6-Nonadienal
Aroma chemical · Green / Aquatic — cucumber, green, violet leaf, watery
-
Calone
Aroma chemical · Aquatic / Metallic — marine, watermelon, ozonic, watery
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 5 published formulas
cis-6-Nonenal is an ingredient in 1 perfume formula and 4 accords in the Formula & Accord Library.
Community formulas
RUŌOD House Originals
Original compositions by RUŌOD House.
Further reading
Questions about cis-6-Nonenal
Is cis-6-Nonenal natural or synthetic?
The molecule occurs in nature. Commercial cis-6-Nonenal 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 cis-6-Nonenal?
2277-19-2. It was checked against PubChem on 24 October 2026.
Which published formulas use cis-6-Nonenal?
cis-6-Nonenal is used in 5 published formulas in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library, including Dragon Fruit Accord, Honeydew Static and Pumpkin Accord. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Sources
- PubChem — compound 5362720, checked 24 October 2026.
- PubChem — GHS classification (the ECHA C&L Inventory notifications and any harmonised EU entry), read 26 October 2026.
- PubChem — cis-6-Nonenal (CID 5362720): JECFA organoleptic description — odour database.
- The Good Scents Company — cis-6-nonenal (with Bedoukian's and Mosciano's descriptions) — odour database.
- 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.