Laevo (3R) Muscone (Takasago) AC

Laevo-Muscone, also known as (3R)-muscone, is a nature-identical musk molecule from Takasago that offers a soft, elegant and animalic scent with exceptional holding power.

• Only the (R)-form of muscone is strongly odor-active and has that typical warm, animalic musk odor .
• The (S)-form is virtually odorless.
• Takasago’s l-Muscone has an optical rotation of –12° to –9°, confirming that it is the laevo form.

Fragrance Profile & Olfactory Role

• Base note : Laevo-Muscone is a classic base note that comes on slowly and lingers.
• Fragrance character : Musky, powdery, warm, animalic, with ambrette-like elegance.
• Diffusion : Creates a soft aura around the wearer without being overpowering.
• Tenacity : Lasts up to 2 weeks on a scent strip.

Applications in Perfume Formulas

Product type	Usage (%)	Effect
Fine perfume	0.1–2%	Elegance, warmth, fixation
Shampoo / Shower gel	0.1–0.5%	Bloom effect, soft diffusion
Soap / Detergent	0.1–0.5%	Subtle musk in wet/dry
Candles / Balms	0.1–0.5%	Stable, remains on combustion

Formula advice

• Below 0.1% : Round finish, barely detectable but softens sharp notes.
• 0.5–1% : Powdery elegance, soft sensuality.
• >3% : More animalic, dominant — suitable for vintage extras but risky in fresh colognes.

Tips for use

• Dilute in ethanol or DPG for accurate dosing.
• Build up slowly in formulas — overdosing may result in a waxy, dull odor.
• Combine with white flowers, amber, woody notes or gourmand accords for a luxurious base.

💡 Summary

Laevo-Muscone is a premium fixative that gives perfumes a skin-like sensuality and lasting elegance.
It is loved by niche brands and professional perfumers for its true-to-nature Tonkin character * without animal origins.

* Tonkin character In perfumery, refers to the scent profile and olfactory appearance of natural Tonkin musk, derived from the musk deer (Moschus moschiferus) of the Bay of Tonkin region (Vietnam/China). Although animal musk is now synthetically imitated, “Tonkin character” remains a qualitative designation for musk molecules that approximate this scent as closely as possible.

🔍 CAS number at Firmenich

Molecule	CAS number	Stereochemistry	Remark
Muscone Laevo	541-91-3	(3R)-enantiomer	Fragrance-active, nature-identical form
Muscone (racemic)	541-91-3	Mixture of (R) and (S)	Less refined, also contains distomer

💡 Why the same CAS? CAS numbers are assigned based on chemical structure, not always stereochemical purity. So:

• CAS 541-91-3 covers both the racemic form and the pure (R)-form.
• For regulatory purposes and safety data sheets, Takasago and Firmenich use this single CAS number for both variants.

Comparison: Muscone vs IsoMuscone vs Laevo-Muscone

an overview of the three varieties of muscone, an iconic musk molecule often used in perfumery:

Characteristic	Muscone (Firmenich)	Isomuscone (Symrise)	Laevo-(R)Muscone (Takasago)
Isomer	Racemic (R/S)	Structural isomer (cyclohexadecanone)	Enantiopure (R)
Stereochemistry	No preference	No chirality	(3R)-form
CAS number	541-91-3	2550-52-9	541-91-3 /10403-00-6
Tenacity	>400 hours on scent strip	3–10 days on scent strip	>400 hours
Fragrance profile	Musky, powdery, animalic, ambrette	Tonkin musk, animalic, powdery	Elegant, warm, soft, animalic
Strength & Diffusion	Medium to strong, good lift	Medium, complex, diffuse	Very strong, refined diffusion
Fixation capacity	Excellent, base note	Good, also as a synergist	Legendary, long-lasting effect
Use in perfumes	Luxury perfumes, leather, wood, soap	Masculine, floral, spicy perfumes	Premium niche perfumery
IFRA status	✅ No limitation	✅ No limitation	✅ No limitation

Explanation per molecule

• Muscone (Firmenich) : Classic musk molecule with soft, warm animalic notes.
  It is synthetically produced using green chemistry and is biodegradable.
• Isomuscone (Symrise) : Alternative with cyclohexadecanone structure. Has a powdery, animalic odor and is effective in low doses (0.1–5%).
• (R)-Muscone Laevo (Takasago) : The natural and odor-active enantiomer of muscone. Very elegant and powerful, with superior hold and lift.

💡 Perfumer Tip : Use Isomuscone for a modern animalic accent, Muscone for classic warmth and powderiness, and Laevo(R)-Muscone for luxury and sensuality in high-end compositions.

“Laevo” in Firmenich’s Laevo-Muscone refers to the stereochemistry of the molecule—specifically the (3R)-enantiomer of muscone, which is nature-identical to the odor-active constituent in Tonkin musk.

What does “laevo” mean?

• Laevo comes from the Latin laevus , meaning “left.”
• In stereochemistry it denotes a molecule that rotates polarized light to the left .
• In the case of muscone, it means that the molecule is in the (R)-form — which may seem confusing, as “laevo” is sometimes associated with the S-form , but Takasago uses “laevo” as a trade name for their fragrance-active (R)-enantiomer.

Why is this important in perfumery?

• Only the (R)-form of muscone is strongly odor-active and has the characteristic animalic, warm musky odor .
• The racemic variant (CAS 541-91-3) contains both R and S and is less refined.
• Firmenich’s Laevo-Muscone is a premium version with superior tenacity (> 400 hours) and diffusion, ideal for luxury perfumes.