In short
Safraleine is a synthetic indanone used for saffron effects. JECFA describes it as herbal, spicy, saffron, leather and tobacco.
What Safraleine smells like
JECFA describes safraleine as a colourless to clear yellow liquid with a herbal, spicy, saffron, leather and tobacco aroma. Fraterworks says Safraleine smells of saffron, herbs and leather with phenolic nuances and hints of tobacco and wood, and contrasts it with safranal, which is closest to saffron but highly restricted.
- Leading note
- Saffron
- Supporting facets
- Leather, tobacco
- Faint facets
- Herbal
- Character
- Spicy, dry
What makes Safraleine distinctive
Saffron carried with leather and tobacco rather than with the sweet hay of safranal.
Concentration and dilution
Fraterworks says it is usually used in small doses because it is very potent, though in some contexts it works in overdose.
How Safraleine is used
Fraterworks uses it in leather accords, saffron representations and tobacco blends, and as a spicy-warm modifier in fine and functional perfumery.
Typical role: modifier (used in small amounts to change the character of a blend).
How Safraleine differs from similar materials
- Safranal
- Fraterworks finds safranal the closest material to saffron but notes it is highly restricted; Safraleine gives saffron with herbal, leathery and tobacco facets. (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
- Spicy / Leather
- Note position
- Heart to base note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Liquid
- Also known as
- 2,3,3-Trimethylindanone, 2,3,3-Trimethylindan-1-one
- CAS number
- 54440-17-4
- Molecular formula
- C12H14O
- Molecular weight
- 174.24 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- 2,3,3-trimethyl-2H-inden-1-one
The CAS number, formula and molecular weight are taken from PubChem compound 10149036, 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 (1,323 reports): H412 harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects (100% of reports); H315 causes skin irritation (97.5% 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
-
Safranal
Aroma chemical · Spicy / Leather — saffron, leathery, spicy, warm
-
Isobutyl Quinoline
Aroma chemical · Leather / Green — leathery, earthy, green, smoky
-
Tobacco Absolute
Absolute · Leather / Gourmand — tobacco, honey, hay, leathery
Safraleine is also suggested as a partner on the pages for Apo Patchone.
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 12 published formulas
Safraleine is an ingredient in 8 perfume formulas and 4 accords in the Formula & Accord Library.
Community formulas
RUŌOD House Originals
Original compositions by RUŌOD House.
Further reading
Questions about Safraleine
Is Safraleine natural or synthetic?
Safraleine is synthetic — it is made by chemical synthesis.
What is the CAS number of Safraleine?
54440-17-4. It was checked against PubChem on 24 October 2026.
Which published formulas use Safraleine?
Safraleine is used in 12 published formulas in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library, including Agar Lantern, Beeswax Throne and Black Saddle. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Sources
- PubChem — compound 10149036, checked 24 October 2026.
- PubChem — GHS classification (the ECHA C&L Inventory notifications and any harmonised EU entry), read 26 October 2026.
- PubChem — Safraleine (CID 10149036): JECFA organoleptic description — odour database.
- Fraterworks — Safraleine — distributor's description.
- 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.