In short
gamma-Nonalactone, sold as aldehyde C-18 although it is a lactone, has a creamy coconut note.
What gamma-Nonalactone (Aldehyde C-18) smells like
gamma-Nonalactone, sold as aldehyde C-18 although it is a lactone, is the classic creamy coconut. Givaudan's sample is described as sweet, creamy, coconut, fatty, oily and buttery; Bedoukian creamy and coconut-like; Symrise creamy and appetising, resembling coconut and apricot, and extremely tenacious. Arctander, as quoted by Pell Wall Perfumes, calls it among the most frequently used lactones in perfumes and flavours, often paired with aldehyde C-14 in heavy floral accords.
- Leading note
- Creamy coconut
- Clear facets
- Buttery, oily
- Supporting facets
- Fatty
- Faint facets
- Apricot, coumarin
- Character
- Creamy, rich, tenacious, sweet
What makes gamma-Nonalactone (Aldehyde C-18) distinctive
The reference coconut: full, buttery coconut flesh and coconut milk, far more tenacious than its volatility would suggest.
How gamma-Nonalactone (Aldehyde C-18) is used
Used in coconut, tropical, solar and gourmand accords, in heavy florals such as tuberose and gardenia alongside aldehyde C-14, and in coconut flavours. Its tenacity calls for careful dosing.
Typical role: modifier (used in small amounts to change the character of a blend).
How gamma-Nonalactone (Aldehyde C-18) differs from similar materials
- gamma-Octalactone
- gamma-Octalactone is lighter and more herbal, with a coumarin side; the nonalactone is the full, buttery coconut.
- gamma-Undecalactone (Aldehyde C-14)
- Aldehyde C-14 is peach first; aldehyde C-18 is coconut first. Arctander notes the two are often used together. (compared directly by a cited source)
- Massoia Lactone
- Massoia lactone is a sweeter, milkier coconut-meat note; gamma-nonalactone is oilier and more buttery.
- delta-Decalactone
- delta-Decalactone is milkier and softer, coconut cream; gamma-nonalactone is the fuller, oilier coconut flesh.
- Whisky Lactone
- Whisky lactone carries coconut inside a woody, toasted-oak character; gamma-nonalactone is coconut without wood.
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
Strong; the "aldehyde" name is historical.
Identity and classification
- Type
- Aroma chemical
- Origin
- Occurs in nature
- Odour family
- Gourmand / Fruity
- Note position
- Heart to base note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Liquid
- Also known as
- Aldehyde C-18
- CAS number
- 104-61-0
- Molecular formula
- C9H16O2
- Molecular weight
- 156.22 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- 5-pentyloxolan-2-one
The CAS number, formula and molecular weight are taken from PubChem compound 7710, 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 report it as not meeting the GHS hazard criteria (1,722 of 1,729 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
-
Tuberose Absolute
Absolute · Floral / Gourmand — white floral, creamy, narcotic, buttery
-
gamma-Undecalactone (Aldehyde C-14)
Aroma chemical · Fruity / Gourmand — peach, apricot, creamy, fruity
-
Benzyl Salicylate
Aroma chemical · Floral / Powdery — balsamic, floral, faint, sweet
-
Vanillin
Aroma chemical · Gourmand / Amber — vanilla, sweet, creamy
gamma-Nonalactone (Aldehyde C-18) is also suggested as a partner on the pages for Datilat, gamma-Heptalactone, gamma-Octalactone, Massoia Lactone, Methyl Laitone and Styrallyl Acetate.
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 20 published formulas
gamma-Nonalactone (Aldehyde C-18) is an ingredient in 5 perfume formulas and 15 accords in the Formula & Accord Library.
Community formulas
RUŌOD House Originals
Original compositions by RUŌOD House.
Further reading
Questions about gamma-Nonalactone (Aldehyde C-18)
Is gamma-Nonalactone (Aldehyde C-18) natural or synthetic?
The molecule occurs in nature. Commercial gamma-Nonalactone (Aldehyde C-18) 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 gamma-Nonalactone (Aldehyde C-18)?
104-61-0. It was checked against PubChem on 19 October 2026.
Which published formulas use gamma-Nonalactone (Aldehyde C-18)?
gamma-Nonalactone (Aldehyde C-18) is used in 20 published formulas in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library, including Banana Bread, Brine Blossom Accord and Brined Olive Accord. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Sources
- PubChem — compound 7710, 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 — gamma-nonalactone (with Givaudan, Bedoukian and Symrise descriptions and Arctander via Pell Wall) — odour database.
- Parchem — gamma-nonalactone specification — distributor's description.
- ChemicalBook — gamma-nonalactone (CAS 104-61-0) — odour database.
- Olfactory profile: the RUŌOD Lab team's synthesis of the published descriptions above, reviewed 20 October 2026. Evidence: several independent published descriptions, which agree. Classification and the short description: revision 1. Descriptions of odour are judgement, not measurement.