In short
Isoambrettolide (oxacycloheptadec-10-en-2-one) is a macrocyclic musk lactone closely related to the musk lactone of ambrette seed. It gives a fine, fruity-powdery musk.
What Isoambrettolide smells like
Iso-ambrettolide is, according to one supplier, what most commercial 'ambrettolide' really is — the seed-derived molecule being a different compound with its own CAS number. The same supplier describes the commercial material as a classic musk with a subtle red-berry fruity back note. No source was found that separates its odour from ambrettolide's. The Good Scents Company lists musky, powerful, warm, ambrette seed and fruity, and Parchem's specification sweet, musk, ambrette, fruity and waxy.
- Leading note
- Fruity musk
- Supporting facets
- Red berry
- Faint facets
- Powdery
- Character
- Soft, warm, sweet
What makes Isoambrettolide distinctive
The commercial ambrettolide: a classic musk with a red-berry back note.
How Isoambrettolide is used
Used as a soft, fruity musk in fine and functional fragrance.
Typical role: fixative (slow to evaporate; helps a blend last and holds lighter notes).
How Isoambrettolide differs from similar materials
- Ambrettolide
- A supplier notes much commercial ambrettolide is really iso-ambrettolide; no direct odour comparison was found. (compared directly by a cited source)
- Applelide
- Applelide's fruit is apple, in a powdery white musk; isoambrettolide's is red berry, in a warmer, ambrette-like musk.
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
Costly compared with polycyclic musks.
Identity and classification
- Type
- Aroma chemical
- Origin
- Synthetic
- Odour family
- Musky / Fruity
- Note position
- Base note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Liquid
- Also known as
- Oxacycloheptadec-10-en-2-one
- CAS number
- 28645-51-4
- Molecular formula
- C16H28O2
- Molecular weight
- 252.39 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- (10Z)-1-oxacycloheptadec-10-en-2-one
The CAS number, formula and molecular weight are taken from PubChem compound 5355293, 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 (1,639 of 1,692 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
-
Ambrette Seed Oil
Essential oil · Musky / Fruity — musky, fruity, pear, winey
-
Exaltolide
Aroma chemical · Musky / Powdery — musky, soft, powdery, animalic
-
Orris Butter (Orris Concrete)
Concrete · Powdery / Woody — powdery, iris, woody, buttery
-
Ambrettolide
Aroma chemical · Musky / Fruity — musky, ambrette, fruity, pear
Isoambrettolide is also suggested as a partner on the pages for Muscenone.
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 20 published formulas
Isoambrettolide is an ingredient in 20 perfume formulas in the Formula & Accord Library.
RUŌOD House Originals
Original compositions by RUŌOD House.
Further reading
Questions about Isoambrettolide
Is Isoambrettolide natural or synthetic?
Isoambrettolide is synthetic — it is made by chemical synthesis.
What is the CAS number of Isoambrettolide?
28645-51-4. It was checked against PubChem on 19 October 2026.
Which published formulas use Isoambrettolide?
Isoambrettolide is used in 20 published formulas in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library, including Ambrette Halo, Apple Cellar and Black Pepper Sail. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Sources
- PubChem — compound 5355293, checked 19 October 2026.
- PubChem — GHS classification (the ECHA C&L Inventory notifications and any harmonised EU entry), read 26 October 2026.
- Scentspiracy — Ambrettolide (on iso-ambrettolide) — distributor's description.
- The Good Scents Company — iso-ambrettolide — odour database.
- The Good Scents Company — isoambrettolide — 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.