In short
Isopulegol is a monoterpene alcohol and the intermediate from which synthetic menthol is commonly made. It has a minty, herbal odour with a cooling feel.
What Isopulegol smells like
Isopulegol is minty and cooling. A supplier lists minty, cooling and slightly fruity; a chemical database minty, cooling, medicinal and woody. A patent reports that the (-)-isomer has a minty, herbaceous and bitter-sweet fragrance with a slight feeling of coolness. One grade is described as rather harsh, camphoraceous and minty with a rose-leaf and geranium background. Its odour and cooling strength vary with purity and isomer.
- Leading note
- Cool mint
- Supporting facets
- Herbaceous, bitter-sweet
- Faint facets
- Rose leaf, geranium, camphoraceous
- Character
- Cool, fresh, herbal
What makes Isopulegol distinctive
A herbal, bitter-sweet mint with a hint of rose leaf — gentler coolness than menthol.
How Isopulegol is used
Used in mint, herbal and fresh compositions and as a cooling agent; it is also the precursor of menthol.
Typical role: modifier (used in small amounts to change the character of a blend).
How Isopulegol differs from similar materials
- l-Menthol
- Menthol is the cleaner, stronger cold; isopulegol is gentler, herbaceous and bitter-sweet.
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
- Aromatic / Green
- Note position
- Top to heart note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Liquid
- Also known as
- p-Menth-8-en-3-ol
- CAS number
- 89-79-2
- Molecular formula
- C10H18O
- Molecular weight
- 154.25 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- (1R,2S,5R)-5-methyl-2-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclohexan-1-ol
The CAS number, formula and molecular weight are taken from PubChem compound 170833, 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 (1,823 reports): H315 causes skin irritation (85.2% of reports); H319 causes serious eye irritation (84.4% of reports). 1 of the reports find it does not meet the hazard criteria. 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
-
l-Menthol
Aroma chemical · Aromatic / Green — minty, cooling, fresh
-
Peppermint Oil
Essential oil · Aromatic / Green — minty, cooling, fresh, herbal
-
Spearmint Oil
Essential oil · Aromatic / Green — minty, sweet, fresh, herbal
-
Eucalyptol
Aroma chemical · Aromatic / Green — camphoraceous, cool, medicinal
Isopulegol is also suggested as a partner on the pages for Menthone.
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 2 published formulas
Isopulegol is an ingredient in 1 perfume formula and 1 accord in the Formula & Accord Library.
RUŌOD House Originals
Original compositions by RUŌOD House.
Further reading
Questions about Isopulegol
Is Isopulegol natural or synthetic?
The molecule occurs in nature. Commercial Isopulegol 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 Isopulegol?
89-79-2. It was checked against PubChem on 19 October 2026.
Which published formulas use Isopulegol?
Isopulegol is used in 2 published formulas in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library: Frost Herb Accord and Glacier Bottle. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Sources
- PubChem — compound 170833, 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 — isopulegol — odour database.
- Parchem — isopulegol — distributor's description.
- US5663460 — Liquid l-n-menthol composition (patent) — published literature.
- Olfactory profile: the RUŌOD Lab team's synthesis of the published descriptions above, reviewed 21 October 2026. Evidence: more than one published description. Classification and the short description: revision 1. Descriptions of odour are judgement, not measurement.