In short
Dihydroactinidiolide is a carotenoid-derived lactone found in tea, tobacco and fruit. JECFA describes a musky or coumarin-like aroma.
What Dihydroactinidiolide smells like
JECFA, as published by PubChem, describes dihydroactinidiolide as a clear, colourless liquid with a musky or coumarin-like aroma. PubChem links it to several natural-product databases. Fraterworks, which also calls it tea lactone, describes a sweet, tea-like character with powerful coumarin-like and soft musky undertones, peach, apricot and red-fruit nuances and gentle woody, hay-like facets.
- Leading note
- Musky
- Clear facets
- Coumarin
- Character
- Soft
What makes Dihydroactinidiolide distinctive
A carotenoid lactone between musk and coumarin.
Where the descriptions disagree: JECFA describes it as a clear, colourless liquid; Fraterworks sells it as a white crystalline powder.
How Dihydroactinidiolide is used
Fraterworks presents it as a modifier and enhancer for tea, tobacco, coumarin and tonka accords, and as a bridge between coumarin and musk.
Typical role: modifier (used in small amounts to change the character of a blend).
How Dihydroactinidiolide differs from similar materials
- Isomuscone
- Isomuscone is a true macrocyclic musk with a floral-animalic side; dihydroactinidiolide is a lactone that sits between musk and coumarin.
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.
Identity and classification
- Type
- Aroma chemical
- Origin
- Occurs in nature
- Odour family
- Musky / Powdery
- Note position
- Base note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Liquid
- CAS number
- 17092-92-1
- Molecular formula
- C11H16O2
- Molecular weight
- 180.24 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- (7aR)-4,4,7a-trimethyl-6,7-dihydro-5H-1-benzofuran-2-one
The CAS number, formula and molecular weight are taken from PubChem compound 6432173, 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 (139 reports): H300 fatal if swallowed (99.3% of 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
-
beta-Ionone
Aroma chemical · Powdery / Woody — violet, woody, fruity, raspberry
-
Coumarin
Aroma chemical · Powdery / Fougère — hay, sweet, almond, tobacco
-
Tobacco Absolute
Absolute · Leather / Gourmand — tobacco, honey, hay, leathery
Dihydroactinidiolide is also suggested as a partner on the pages for Dihydro Gamma Ionone.
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 5 published formulas
Dihydroactinidiolide is an ingredient in 4 perfume formulas and 1 accord in the Formula & Accord Library.
Community formulas
RUŌOD House Originals
Original compositions by RUŌOD House.
Further reading
Questions about Dihydroactinidiolide
Is Dihydroactinidiolide natural or synthetic?
The molecule occurs in nature. Commercial Dihydroactinidiolide 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 Dihydroactinidiolide?
17092-92-1. It was checked against PubChem on 24 October 2026.
Which published formulas use Dihydroactinidiolide?
Dihydroactinidiolide is used in 5 published formulas in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library, including Apricot Dust, Lavender in Silk and Orange Blossom Chalk. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Sources
- PubChem — compound 6432173, checked 24 October 2026.
- PubChem — GHS classification (the ECHA C&L Inventory notifications and any harmonised EU entry), read 26 October 2026.
- PubChem — Dihydroactinidiolide (CID 6432173): JECFA organoleptic description — odour database.
- Fraterworks — Dihydroactinidiolide — 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.