In short
Syringol is 2,6-dimethoxyphenol, a smoke phenol formed when wood lignin burns. JECFA describes a woody, medicinal, rather dry odour.
What Syringol smells like
JECFA, as published by PubChem, describes 2,6-dimethoxyphenol as white or colourless crystals with a woody, medicinal, rather dry odour. PubChem links it to natural-product databases. Fraterworks describes white crystals with an intense, smoky, phenolic aroma of charred hardwood and bacon over a sweet, powdery, almost vanillic warmth — sweeter and less harsh than guaiacol.
- Leading note
- Woody medicinal
- Supporting facets
- Dry
- Character
- Dry
What makes Syringol distinctive
The drier, more medicinal of the wood-smoke phenols.
How Syringol is used
Fraterworks uses it as an authentic smoke note in leather, tobacco, incense and campfire accords.
Typical role: modifier (used in small amounts to change the character of a blend).
How Syringol differs from similar materials
- Guaiacol
- Guaiacol is the classic smoky phenol; syringol, its dimethoxy relative, is described as woody, medicinal and rather dry.
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
Supplied as crystals; dissolve before use.
Identity and classification
- Type
- Aroma chemical
- Origin
- Occurs in nature
- Odour family
- Woody / Leather
- Note position
- Heart to base note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Solid
- Also known as
- 2,6-Dimethoxyphenol
- CAS number
- 91-10-1
- Molecular formula
- C8H10O3
- Molecular weight
- 154.16 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- 2,6-dimethoxyphenol
The CAS number, formula and molecular weight are taken from PubChem compound 7041, 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 report it as not meeting the GHS hazard criteria (1 of 1,711 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
-
Guaiacol
Aroma chemical · Leather / Woody — smoky, phenolic, medicinal, woody
-
Birch Tar Oil (Rectified)
Essential oil · Leather / Woody — smoky, leathery, tarry, phenolic
-
Cade Oil (Rectified)
Essential oil · Leather / Woody — smoky, tarry, leathery, woody
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 3 published formulas
Syringol is an ingredient in 2 perfume formulas and 1 accord in the Formula & Accord Library.
Community formulas
RUŌOD House Originals
Original compositions by RUŌOD House.
Further reading
Questions about Syringol
Is Syringol natural or synthetic?
The molecule occurs in nature. Commercial Syringol 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 Syringol?
91-10-1. It was checked against PubChem on 24 October 2026.
Which published formulas use Syringol?
Syringol is used in 3 published formulas in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library: Asphalt Peony, Gun Powder Accord and Smoke & Milk. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Sources
- PubChem — compound 7041, checked 24 October 2026.
- PubChem — GHS classification (the ECHA C&L Inventory notifications and any harmonised EU entry), read 26 October 2026.
- PubChem — 2,6-Dimethoxyphenol (CID 7041): JECFA organoleptic description — odour database.
- Fraterworks — Syringol — 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.