In short
Rose oxide is a cyclic ether found in rose and geranium oils. In traces it gives a sharp, metallic-green, geranium-like freshness that makes a rose accord more natural.
What Rose Oxide smells like
Rose oxide is a hard, green, metallic rose-geranium material. A perfumery supplier describes hard green and iron-like notes with a slightly medicinal, dusty aspect; another lists metallic, rosy, green, fresh, sharp and slightly fruity. It is a characteristic constituent of geranium and rose oils, and perfumers use it to add a fresh, sharp, green lift to rose accords. The cis isomer is described as the most active and very metallic. Sources disagree on strength.
- Leading note
- Metallic green rose
- Clear facets
- Geranium, iron-like
- Faint facets
- Fruity, medicinal, dusty
- Character
- Sharp, hard, green, fresh
What makes Rose Oxide distinctive
Its metallic hardness. It is the iron-like, green edge of geranium and rose — the note that makes a rose accord read 'geranium' and gives it a cold sparkle.
Where the descriptions disagree: One supplier rates it weak; another extraordinarily potent.
How Rose Oxide is used
Used in traces to add a sharp, green, metallic lift to rose, geranium and other floral accords.
Typical role: modifier (used in small amounts to change the character of a blend).
How Rose Oxide differs from similar materials
- Geranium Oil
- Rose oxide is one of geranium oil's characteristic constituents, isolated: the hard, metallic green without the oil's rosy, minty body.
- Diphenyl Oxide
- Diphenyl oxide is a warmer, slightly phenolic geranium with rose and powder; rose oxide is harder, greener and more metallic.
- Benzophenone
- Benzophenone is a faint rose-geranium fixative; rose oxide is a powerful, metallic-green geranium-rose top note.
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
Very strong; weigh it from a dilution.
Identity and classification
- Type
- Aroma chemical
- Origin
- Occurs in nature
- Odour family
- Floral / Metallic
- Note position
- Top to heart note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Liquid
- CAS number
- 16409-43-1
- Molecular formula
- C10H18O
- Molecular weight
- 154.25 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- 4-methyl-2-(2-methylprop-1-enyl)oxane
The CAS number, formula and molecular weight are taken from PubChem compound 27866, 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 (1,781 reports): H315 causes skin irritation (95.1% of reports); H319 causes serious eye irritation (92.7% of reports); H361 suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child (87.5% of reports). 87 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
-
Citronellol
Aroma chemical · Floral / Green — rosy, fresh, citrus, waxy
-
Geranium Oil
Essential oil · Floral / Green — rosy, green, minty, fresh
-
Rose Oil (Rosa damascena)
Essential oil · Floral / Fruity — rose, honeyed, spicy, fresh
-
Nerol Oxide
Aroma chemical · Floral / Green — green, floral, herbal, orange blossom
Rose Oxide is also suggested as a partner on the pages for Maritima, Mefranal, Peonile, Rosalva, Rose Acetate and Tetrahydrogeraniol.
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 27 published formulas
Rose Oxide is an ingredient in 19 perfume formulas and 8 accords in the Formula & Accord Library.
Community formulas
RUŌOD House Originals
Original compositions by RUŌOD House.
Further reading
Questions about Rose Oxide
Is Rose Oxide natural or synthetic?
The molecule occurs in nature. Commercial Rose Oxide 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 Rose Oxide?
16409-43-1. It was checked against PubChem on 19 October 2026.
Which published formulas use Rose Oxide?
Rose Oxide is used in 27 published formulas in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library, including Agar Lantern, Anise Ink and Asphalt Peony. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Sources
- PubChem — compound 27866, checked 19 October 2026.
- PubChem — GHS classification (the ECHA C&L Inventory notifications and any harmonised EU entry), read 26 October 2026.
- Scentspiracy — Rose Oxide — distributor's description.
- Bioshop — Rose oxide — distributor's description.
- The Good Scents Company — geranium odour category — odour database.
- 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.