In short
1-Nonanol, aldehyde C-9's alcohol and known in perfumery as alcohol C-9, is a fatty alcohol with a rose-citrus odour. It occurs in citrus and other fruits.
What 1-Nonanol smells like
JECFA, as published by PubChem, describes 1-nonanol as a colourless liquid with a rose-citrus odour. HSDB records a floral odour and an odour of citronella oil, and the US Coast Guard record a rose or fruity one. PubChem links it to natural-product databases.
- Leading note
- Rose citrus
- Clear facets
- Floral
- Supporting facets
- Citronella
- Character
- Fresh
What makes 1-Nonanol distinctive
Nonanal's alcohol: rosier and softer than the waxy aldehyde.
How 1-Nonanol is used
Used in small amounts in rose, citrus and aldehydic accords.
Typical role: modifier (used in small amounts to change the character of a blend).
How 1-Nonanol differs from similar materials
- Aldehyde C-9 (Nonanal)
- Nonanal is the waxy, aldehydic rose-citrus; 1-nonanol, its alcohol, is described as rose-citrus and floral without the aldehydic edge.
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
- Floral / Citrus
- Note position
- Top to heart note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Liquid
- Also known as
- Alcohol C-9, Nonyl alcohol
- CAS number
- 143-08-8
- Molecular formula
- C9H20O
- Molecular weight
- 144.25 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- nonan-1-ol
The CAS number, formula and molecular weight are taken from PubChem compound 8914, whose own record lists this CAS number; checked 24 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 (2,003 reports): H319 causes serious eye irritation (99.6% of reports); H411 toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects (80.2% of reports); H315 causes skin irritation (13.4% of reports). 8 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
-
Aldehyde C-9 (Nonanal)
Aroma chemical · Aldehydic / Floral — aldehydic, waxy, rosy, citrus
-
Citronellol
Aroma chemical · Floral / Green — rosy, fresh, citrus, waxy
-
Aldehyde C-10 (Decanal)
Aroma chemical · Aldehydic / Citrus — aldehydic, waxy, orange peel, fatty
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 2 published formulas
1-Nonanol is an ingredient in 1 perfume formula and 1 accord in the Formula & Accord Library.
Community formulas
RUŌOD House Originals
Original compositions by RUŌOD House.
Further reading
Questions about 1-Nonanol
Is 1-Nonanol natural or synthetic?
The molecule occurs in nature. Commercial 1-Nonanol 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 1-Nonanol?
143-08-8. It was checked against PubChem on 24 October 2026.
Which published formulas use 1-Nonanol?
1-Nonanol is used in 2 published formulas in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library: Dragon Fruit Accord and Typewriter Ribbon. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Sources
- PubChem — compound 8914, checked 24 October 2026.
- PubChem — GHS classification (the ECHA C&L Inventory notifications and any harmonised EU entry), read 26 October 2026.
- PubChem — 1-Nonanol (CID 8914): JECFA organoleptic description — odour database.
- Olfactory profile: the RUŌOD Lab team's synthesis of the published descriptions above, reviewed 24 October 2026. Evidence: more than one published description. Classification and the short description: revision 1. Descriptions of odour are judgement, not measurement.