delta-3-Carene

In short

delta-3-Carene is a bicyclic monoterpene found in pine, cypress, black pepper and some turpentines. It has a sweet, resinous pine odour.

What delta-3-Carene smells like

delta-3-Carene has a sweet, pungent odour, described as a combination of fir needles, musky earth and damp woodlands; a supplier calls it more agreeable than turpentine, and another a medium-strength, sweet, pungent citrus odour. A flavour database lists citrus, pine, terpenic, herbal, resinous, tropical, peppery and juniper. It is a notable constituent of Scots pine, dwarf pine and cypress oils.

Leading note: Sweet pine
Supporting facets: Citrus, earthy, damp wood
Faint facets: Peppery, juniper
Character: Sweet, pungent, fresh

What makes delta-3-Carene distinctive

The sweetest of the pine terpenes, with a damp-woodland earthiness.

How delta-3-Carene is used

Used in pine, conifer and citrus-fresh compositions, and in conifer reconstructions.

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

How delta-3-Carene differs from similar materials

alpha-Pinene: alpha-Pinene is sharper and more turpentine-like; delta-3-carene is sweeter, with a damp-earth side.
Dwarf Pine Oil: Dwarf pine oil contains delta-3-carene with alpha-pinene and limonene, and is sweeter and more balsamic. (compared directly by a cited source)
Terpinolene: Terpinolene leans towards lime and lemon peel; delta-3-carene is sweeter-earthy, with damp woodland.

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

Oxidises in air; store well closed.

Identity and classification

Type: Aroma chemical
Origin: Occurs in nature
Odour family: Aromatic / Woody
Note position: Top note
Physical form at room temperature: Liquid
Also known as: 3-Carene
CAS number: 13466-78-9
Molecular formula: C10H16
Molecular weight: 136.23 g/mol
IUPAC name: 3,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[4.1.0]hept-3-ene

The CAS number, formula and molecular weight are taken from PubChem compound 26049, 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 (1,766 reports): H317 may cause an allergic skin reaction (99.8% of reports); H226 flammable liquid and vapor (97.7% of reports); H304 may be fatal if swallowed and enters airways (97.7% of reports); H315 causes skin irritation (95.4% of reports); H412 harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects (75.3% of reports); H400 very toxic to aquatic life (10.8% of reports); H410 very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects (10.8% of reports). 3 of the reports find it does not meet the hazard criteria. 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

alpha-Pinene
Aroma chemical · Aromatic / Woody — piney, resinous, fresh, turpentine
Cypress Oil
Essential oil · Woody / Aromatic — coniferous, resinous, woody, fresh
Scots Pine Needle Oil
Essential oil · Aromatic / Woody — pine, resinous, fresh, balsamic
d-Limonene
Aroma chemical · Citrus / Fruity — citrus, orange, fresh, light

delta-3-Carene is also suggested as a partner on the pages for Dwarf Pine Oil.

Used in formulas and accords

Used in 3 published formulas

delta-3-Carene is an ingredient in 2 accords and 1 base in the Formula & Accord Library.

Cannabis Base
Community Formula · Base · listed as “Carene 3 Delta”
Ivy Accord
Community Formula · Accord · listed as “Carene-3 Delta (13466-78-9)”
Pumpkin Accord
Community Formula · Accord · listed as “Carene-3-Delta”

Questions about delta-3-Carene

Is delta-3-Carene natural or synthetic?

The molecule occurs in nature. Commercial delta-3-Carene 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 delta-3-Carene?

13466-78-9. It was checked against PubChem on 19 October 2026.

Which published formulas use delta-3-Carene?

delta-3-Carene is used in 3 published formulas in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library: Cannabis Base, Ivy Accord and Pumpkin Accord. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.

Sources

PubChem — compound 26049, checked 19 October 2026.
PubChem — GHS classification (the ECHA C&L Inventory notifications and any harmonised EU entry), read 26 October 2026.
Wikipedia — Carene — published perfumery reference.
Parchem — delta-3-carene 90 PF — distributor's description.
FooDB — 3-carene — odour database.
Olfactory profile: the RUŌOD Lab team's synthesis of the published descriptions above, reviewed 21 October 2026. Evidence: more than one published description. Classification and the short description: revision 1. Descriptions of odour are judgement, not measurement.