In short
Phenoxanol is a trade name for 3-methyl-5-phenylpentan-1-ol, an aromatic alcohol with a fresh, clean rose odour. It is a stable, long-lasting rose blender.
What Phenoxanol smells like
Phenoxanol (IFF) is a diffusive, fresh floral of the rose-absolute type, and unusually long-lasting — IFF cites substantivity of more than two days. Other descriptions place it in a rose-muguet register with a light green note. A glossary calls it less heavy than phenylethyl alcohol and greener than citronellol, with a mineral-aquatic edge; perfumers note it can give some of the effect of laevo-citronellol, without being a full replacement.
- Leading note
- Fresh rose
- Supporting facets
- Muguet, light green
- Faint facets
- Mineral-aquatic
- Character
- Fresh, clean, diffusive, long-lasting
What makes Phenoxanol distinctive
A clean, lasting rose: lighter than phenylethyl alcohol, greener than citronellol, and far more persistent than either.
Where the descriptions disagree: Users disagree on how citronellol-like it is.
How Phenoxanol is used
Used as a long-lasting fresh rose note in fine and functional fragrance.
Typical role: blender (smooths the joins between other materials).
How Phenoxanol differs from similar materials
- Citronellol
- One glossary describes Phenoxanol as greener than citronellol; citronellol is the classic fresh rose and less persistent. (compared directly by a cited source)
- Phenylethyl Alcohol
- One glossary describes Phenoxanol as less heavy than phenylethyl alcohol; phenylethyl alcohol is the warmer, honeyed rose. (compared directly by a cited source)
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.
Identity and classification
- Type
- Aroma chemical
- Origin
- Synthetic
- Odour family
- Floral
- Note position
- Heart note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Liquid
- Also known as
- 3-Methyl-5-phenylpentan-1-ol, Phenylisohexanol
- CAS number
- 55066-48-3
- Molecular formula
- C12H18O
- Molecular weight
- 178.27 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- 3-methyl-5-phenylpentan-1-ol
The CAS number, formula and molecular weight are taken from PubChem compound 108312, 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 (1,869 reports): H302 harmful if swallowed (87.7% of reports); H318 causes serious eye damage (12.3% 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
-
Phenylethyl Alcohol
Aroma chemical · Floral / Green — rose, honeyed, soft, floral
-
Citronellol
Aroma chemical · Floral / Green — rosy, fresh, citrus, waxy
-
Rosaphen
Aroma chemical · Floral — rose, fresh, mild, green
-
Geraniol
Aroma chemical · Floral / Citrus — rosy, sweet, citrus, fresh
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 26 published formulas
Phenoxanol is an ingredient in 23 perfume formulas and 3 accords in the Formula & Accord Library.
RUŌOD House Originals
Original compositions by RUŌOD House.
Further reading
Questions about Phenoxanol
Is Phenoxanol natural or synthetic?
Phenoxanol is synthetic — it is made by chemical synthesis.
What is the CAS number of Phenoxanol?
55066-48-3. It was checked against PubChem on 19 October 2026.
Which published formulas use Phenoxanol?
Phenoxanol is used in 26 published formulas in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library, including Agar Lantern, Ambrette Halo and Apple Cellar. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Sources
- PubChem — compound 108312, checked 19 October 2026.
- PubChem — GHS classification (the ECHA C&L Inventory notifications and any harmonised EU entry), read 26 October 2026.
- IFF — Phenoxanol, via SpecialChem — manufacturer's description.
- The Good Scents Company — Phenoxanol — odour database.
- Premiere Peau — Phenoxanol — published perfumery reference.
- Olfactory profile: the RUŌOD Lab team's synthesis of the published descriptions above, reviewed 20 October 2026. Evidence: more than one published description. Classification and the short description: revision 1. Descriptions of odour are judgement, not measurement.