Phellandrene A Fresh Citrus–Spicy Ingredient in Modern Fragrance Formulation

Galbora
Jan 23
2 min read

🧴 Introduction To Phellandrene A

Phellandrene is a nature-identical aromatic molecule with a bright citrus, lime, peppery, and juniper-like olfactive profile. Valued for its freshness, diffusion, and natural character, it is widely used in citrus, spicy, and aromatic accords across fine fragrance and functional perfumery.

The material complies with ISO 16128 and is classified as 100% inherently nature identical, meaning its chemical structure is identical to that found in nature while offering consistency and formulation reliability.

🧪 Chemical Profile

Chemical Name: (R)-5-Isopropyl-2-methylcyclohexa-1,3-diene
Synonym: (–)-(R)-α-Phellandrene
Molecular Formula: C₁₀H₁₆
Molecular Weight: 136.24
CAS No.: 99-83-2
FEMA / GRAS No.: 2856
CLogP: 4.62
GC Purity: Min. 85% as α-Phellandrene
Flash Point: 53°C
Vapor Pressure: 255 Pa at 25°C
Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow liquid

👃 Olfactive Profile

Phellandrene is a top-note material with a lively and diffusive character. Its scent can be described as:

🍋 Citrus / Lime – bright, sparkling, and fresh

🌶 Peppery / Spicy – energetic and slightly sharp

🌲 Juniper-like / Green – clean, natural, and aromatic

This combination makes Phellandrene particularly effective in opening compositions and enhancing the natural freshness of citrus and herbal accords.

🌱 Occurrence in Nature

Phellandrene occurs naturally in a variety of essential oils:

Major constituent:
- Ridolfia segetum
- Elemi
Minor constituent:
- Eucalyptus
- Melaleuca
- Fennel
- Ginger

Its broad natural presence contributes to its high olfactive credibility in nature-inspired fragrance creations.

🧴 Applications in Perfumery

Phellandrene is commonly used in:

✨ Citrus accords

🌶 Spicy and aromatic compositions

🌸 Geranium-based accords

🧼 Personal care and toiletry products

🏠 Household and functional fragrances

It functions primarily as a top-note booster, improving freshness, lift, and diffusion in fragrance formulas.

⚙️ Stability in Formulation

Application	Stability
Fine Fragrance	Good
Fabric Softener (pH 3)	Good
Antiperspirant (pH 3.5)	Good
Toiletry Applications (pH 6)	Good
Liquid Detergent (pH 9)	Good
Soap (pH 10)	Good
Powder Detergent (pH 11)	Fair
Bleach (pH 14)	Poor

💪 Substantivity & Performance

Substantivity:
- Skin: Fair
- Hair: Fair
- Dry Fabric: Poor
- Wet Fabric: Poor
Tenacity on Blotter:
- 2 hours
Bloom Diffusivity:
- Diffusive – fast and noticeable scent release

📊 Typical Use Level

🔬 1% – 5% of the total fragrance concentrate, depending on the desired freshness and impact.

🧠 Practical Summary

Phellandrene is a fresh, citrus–spicy, and highly diffusive fragrance ingredient ideal for enhancing top notes and delivering a natural, vibrant opening. Its nature-identical status, good formulation stability, and energetic olfactive profile make it a reliable choice for modern citrus, aromatic, and spicy fragrance compositions.

This article was researched and written by Galbora.

Use of this content is permitted when citing the source.