Isoborneol (AC)
Fragrance profile: fresh and camphoraceous, with warm woody undertones. In the opening, you smell a cool, minty sharpness. Then soft resin and wood nuances emerge. It can also feel slightly spicy and a little earthy.
CAS number: 124-76-5
Dosage: common in very low concentrations; start with 0.01-0.1% in final formulations
Because it is already noticeable in small amounts, use it sparingly.
Appearance: At room temperature, iso-borneol usually appears as a white to pale yellow crystalline solid
Fragrance group: camphoraceous / woody
Synonyms: isoborneol, exo-borneol,borneolum
From € 3,49 incl. btw
1st Class Quality Products
All fragrances are selected with care
Delivery from stock
We supply everything from our own stock, unless otherwise stated on the product itself.
Use in perfumery
Iso-borneol is mainly used to give fresh, camphor-like accents.
It works well in top and heart notes and helps connect spicy and woody scents.
In fougère-like or aromatic compositions, it adds a bright, cool touch that gives the fragrance more character without being overpowering.
It is usually used as an accent in the top or heart to clarify and connect fougere, aromatic and woody textures with spicy or resinous notes.Isoborneol is the fresh, camphoraceous-woody counterpart of borneol, with a slightly sharper, cooler bite.
Recommended dosage
- Start small: start with very low concentrations, for example, 0.01-0.1% of the total formula.
- Testing: make sample bottles first and smell after diluting in alcohol or oil.
- Build up: increase slowly if you want more camphor effect, but be careful that it can quickly become too sharp.
- Use as an accent: start with very low concentrations and test in a carrier (alcohol or oil); isoborneol is effective in small amounts and can quickly become dominant
- Combine with: soft esters (such as isobornyl acetate), sandalwood or cedar for balance, and lavender or rosemary for an aromatic top note
Good combinations
- Wood notes: sandalwood, cedarwood – soften and deepen the base.
- Spicy notes: rosemary, lavender – enhance the fresh and spicy character.
- Esters: isobornyl acetate – makes it softer and rounder.
- Borneol: gives a similar but slightly milder camphor tone.
Complementary fragrances (and why they work)
Complementary fragrances that combine well with iso-borneol are gentle esters and wood notes such as isobornyl acetate, sandalwood and lavender;
- Isobornyl acetate – an ester that softens the sharp camphor of iso-borneol and gives it a warm, woody roundness; ideal for balancing sharpness.
- Sandalwood (synthetic or natural) – deepens the base and provides a soft, creamy woody tone that supports the resinous undertone of iso-borneol.
- Lavender – brings floral and spicy freshness that softens the mint/amber opening and makes the composition friendlier.
- Rosemary or thyme (essential oils) – enhance the spicy, green aspect and work well in aromatic or fougere-style blends.
- Cedarwood or patchouli (in small amounts) – give depth and stability to the base without hiding the camphor tone.
Practical tip: always combine iso-borneol in small steps; add a soothing ester or wood note first to prevent the mix from becoming too sharp
Comparable fragrances
- Borneol – chemically related and fragrantly similar; slightly milder and warmer than isoborneol, good as an alternative or to use together.
- Camphor (camphor) – shares cool, sharp camphor tones; use sparingly as it can quickly become dominant.
- Isobornyl acetate – although an ester, it has a camphoraceous-woody character that is often used as a softer counterpart.
- Menthol / eucalyptol (1,8-cineol) – give similar fresh, cool accents but with a more minty or eucalyptus color; use for a fresher top note.
Blend tips
- For a fresh fougère: iso-borneol + lavender + rosemary + cedarwood.
- For a woody composition: iso-borneol + isobornyl acetate + sandalwood + a touch of patchouli.
Isoborneol and borneol are stereoisomers: both are bicyclic monoterpene alcohols with a camphor-like odor, but they differ in the placement of the OH group (exo vs endo) which causes small but noticeable differences in odor, melting point and use.
Structure and chemical difference
Isoborneol has the hydroxyl group in the exo position, while borneol has the hydroxyl group in the endo position.
This subtle spatial change (epimerization) explains why they react differently in synthesis and why spectroscopy can distinguish them.
Odor, appearance and physical properties.
Both substances appear as colorless to white crystalline pieces and smell camphorous, pungent and slightly woody.
In practice, borneol is often considered slightly milder and traditionally used in aromatherapy and traditional applications, while isoborneol may show slightly different odor tones and physical properties due to its different stereochemistry.
Uses and fragrance applications
- Perfumery and aromatic blends: both are used as accent substances for fresh, camphorous and woody accents; borneol is sometimes perceived as slightly softer, isoborneol can appear slightly sharper or resinous depending on concentration.
Is usually dosed very low(Start around 0.01-0.1% in perfume formulations ) - Chemical applications: isoborneol and borneol are also used as intermediates in synthesis and as reference standards in analyses; their stereochemistry affects reactions and purity analyses
Comparison Chart
| Feature | Isoborneol | Borneol |
|---|---|---|
| OH position | exo | endo |
| Smell character | camphorous, slightly resinous | camphorous, slightly milder |
| Use | perfumery, synthesis, analytics | perfumery, aromatherapy, traditional use |
Related products
Iso Bornyl Acetate (AC)
Borneol (AC)
Camphor real / Hon-sho EO
