In short
Isomuscone is Symrise's cyclohexadecanone, a macrocyclic ketone musk with a floral, animalic character in the deer-musk direction.
What Isomuscone smells like
Fraterworks describes Isomuscone as a complex floral and animalic musk in the deer-musk direction, a cost-effective alternative to muscone, and quotes a Perfumer & Flavorist series on its synergy: mixtures with ethylene brassylate or Globanone are described as stronger than either material smelled alone. Symrise lists it as cyclohexadecanone.
- Leading note
- Musk
- Supporting facets
- Animalic, floral
- Character
- Warm
What makes Isomuscone distinctive
A macrocyclic ketone musk with a floral-animalic side.
How Isomuscone is used
Used as a macrocyclic musk and fixative, often with other musks, with which it is described as working in synergy.
Typical role: fixative (slow to evaporate; helps a blend last and holds lighter notes); blender (smooths the joins between other materials).
How Isomuscone differs from similar materials
- Dihydroactinidiolide
- Dihydroactinidiolide is a lactone between musk and coumarin; isomuscone is the fuller, more animalic macrocyclic musk.
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.
Formulation considerations
Supplied as crystals that dissolve in the formula on standing.
Identity and classification
- Type
- Aroma chemical
- Origin
- Synthetic
- Odour family
- Musky / Animalic
- Note position
- Base note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Solid
- Also known as
- Cyclohexadecanone
- CAS number
- 2550-52-9
- Molecular formula
- C16H30O
- Molecular weight
- 238.41 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- cyclohexadecanone
The CAS number, formula and molecular weight are taken from PubChem compound 75695, whose own record lists this CAS number; checked 24 October 2026.
Safety and compliance
The IFRA Standards Library lists a Standard covering Isomuscone:
- "Cyclohexadecanone" — Restriction, 51st Amendment, published 2023-06
Limits differ by product category and are set out in the Standard itself; this page does not reproduce them. The list above reflects the library as read on 19 October 2026.
Hazard classification of the neat substance, as PubChem summarises it, read 26 October 2026. It has a harmonised EU classification (Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, Annex VI): H413 may cause long lasting harmful effects to aquatic life. Companies notifying the ECHA C&L Inventory classify it (145 reports): H413 may cause long lasting harmful effects to aquatic life (100% 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
-
Ethylene Brassylate
Aroma chemical · Musky / Powdery — musky, powdery, sweet, soft
-
Globanone
Aroma chemical · Musky / Floral — musky, floral, balsamic, clean
-
Muscone
Aroma chemical · Musky / Animalic — musky, animalic, warm, powdery
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 7 published formulas
Isomuscone is an ingredient in 6 perfume formulas and 1 accord in the Formula & Accord Library.
Community formulas
RUŌOD House Originals
Original compositions by RUŌOD House.
Further reading
Questions about Isomuscone
Is Isomuscone natural or synthetic?
Isomuscone is synthetic — it is made by chemical synthesis.
What is the CAS number of Isomuscone?
2550-52-9. It was checked against PubChem on 24 October 2026.
Which published formulas use Isomuscone?
Isomuscone is used in 7 published formulas in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library, including Agar Lantern, Bright Wolf and Dried Fruits Accord. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Is Isomuscone covered by an IFRA Standard?
Yes. The IFRA Standards Library lists a Standard covering it: "Cyclohexadecanone" — Restriction, 51st Amendment. The limits depend on the product category; read the Standard itself before formulating.
Sources
- PubChem — compound 75695, checked 24 October 2026.
- PubChem — GHS classification (the ECHA C&L Inventory notifications and any harmonised EU entry), read 26 October 2026.
- IFRA — Standards Library, read 19 October 2026.
- Fraterworks — Isomuscone — distributor's description.
- Symrise — Isomuscone product sheet — manufacturer's description.
- The Good Scents Company — cyclohexadecanone — 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.