In short
Ethyl linalool is a synthetic homologue of linalool with a fresher, more floral and less woody profile. It is used as a more stable alternative.
What Ethyl Linalool smells like
Ethyl linalool is a fresh, floral, bergamot-like relative of linalool. Givaudan describes it as fresh, floral and rich, with a floral, fresh bergamot character, sweeter and less agrestic than linalool, and used in floral bouquets as linalool is. Arctander, quoted by Pell Wall Perfumes, says it evaporates somewhat more slowly, is easier to work with and blends with more materials, giving softer, more floral-woody and less citrusy notes. A reseller adds that it smells smoother than linalool.
- Leading note
- Fresh floral bergamot
- Supporting facets
- Sweet
- Faint facets
- Woody
- Character
- Smooth, fresh, soft, clean
What makes Ethyl Linalool distinctive
A smoother, sweeter linalool — less raw and less citrus, and a little slower to fade.
Where the descriptions disagree: Arctander calls it more floral-woody than linalool; another reference calls it less woody.
How Ethyl Linalool is used
Used as a softer alternative to linalool in floral bouquets, and with ethyl linalyl acetate to build a bergamot-type note that is stable even in soap.
Typical role: blender (smooths the joins between other materials).
How Ethyl Linalool differs from similar materials
- Linalool
- Givaudan finds ethyl linalool sweeter and less agrestic; Arctander softer, more floral-woody, less citrusy and slower to evaporate. (compared directly by a cited source)
- Linalool Oxide
- Linalool oxide is linalool's floral made earthy and tea-like; ethyl linalool stays floral, smoother and sweeter.
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
Generally more stable to oxidation than linalool.
Identity and classification
- Type
- Aroma chemical
- Origin
- Synthetic
- Odour family
- Floral / Citrus
- Note position
- Top to heart note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Liquid
- CAS number
- 10339-55-6
- Molecular formula
- C11H20O
- Molecular weight
- 168.28 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- (6E)-3,7-dimethylnona-1,6-dien-3-ol
The CAS number, formula and molecular weight are taken from PubChem compound 6433547, 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 (1,792 reports): H319 causes serious eye irritation (89.3% of reports); H315 causes skin irritation (88.1% of reports); H317 may cause an allergic skin reaction (12.9% of reports). 188 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
-
Linalool
Aroma chemical · Floral / Citrus — floral, fresh, woody, citrus
-
Hedione
Aroma chemical · Floral / Citrus — jasmine, transparent, citrus, airy
-
Bergamot Oil (Expressed)
Essential oil · Citrus / Aromatic — citrus, zesty, floral, tea-like
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 18 published formulas
Ethyl Linalool is an ingredient in 16 perfume formulas and 2 accords in the Formula & Accord Library.
Community formulas
RUŌOD House Originals
Original compositions by RUŌOD House.
Further reading
Questions about Ethyl Linalool
Is Ethyl Linalool natural or synthetic?
Ethyl Linalool is synthetic — it is made by chemical synthesis.
What is the CAS number of Ethyl Linalool?
10339-55-6. It was checked against PubChem on 19 October 2026.
Which published formulas use Ethyl Linalool?
Ethyl Linalool is used in 18 published formulas in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library, including Ambrette Halo, Bleached Driftwood and Champagne Static. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Sources
- PubChem — compound 6433547, 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 — ethyl linalool (with Givaudan's description and Arctander via Pell Wall) — odour database.
- The Fragrance Foundry — Ethyl linalool (Givaudan) — distributor's description.
- Olfactory profile: the RUŌOD Lab team's synthesis of the published descriptions above, reviewed 26 October 2026. Evidence: several independent published descriptions, which agree. Classification and the short description: revision 1. Descriptions of odour are judgement, not measurement.