Muscone (DSM/Firmenich) AC
Firmenich Muscone is a synthetic musk ingredient known for its soft, sweet, and animalic notes—a tribute to natural Tonkin musk.
CAS number : 541-91-3
Fragrance profile : Musky, powdery, animalic, ambrette
Recommended use level : 0.4% – 2%
Fragrance duration : Very long lasting – up to 2 weeks on a fragrance strip; On skin> 24 hours, on textiles even for days
Fragrance strength : Soft yet diffused – subtle at low doses (0.1–0.5%), but powerful and lifting above 1%
Appearance : Colorless to light yellow liquid – clear and oily at room temperature
Fragrance group : Musk family – musky, powdery, animalic with ambrette nuance
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Muscone is a base note with a low vapor pressure, which provides a stable and persistent scent in perfumes, but also in soaps and detergents, for example.
It is a macrocyclic musk molecule with a soft, animalic scent and an impressive hold.It is often used to mimic natural musk and gives a warm, skin-like feel to compositions.
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) : 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.
Summary
- Muscone is the common name for the racemic mixture of musk molecules. It is effective, but less refined than the pure R-isomer.
- Alpha-Muscone is a lesser known variant and is rarely used commercially. There is little public information about odor and performance.
- Leavo-Muscone (R-Muscone) is the most powerful and elegant form. It is considered the closest to natural Tonkin musk and is favored by niche perfumers for its longevity, soft animality, and refined allure
What do R and S mean?
- R = Rectus (Latin for “right”) → rotates polarized light to the right
- S = Sinister (Latin for “left”) → rotates polarized light to the left These designations come from the Cahn-Ingold-Prelog rules , which govern how atoms are arranged around a chiral center.
According to the IFRA 51st Amendment, use is not restricted in Category 4 .
The most important details:
| IFRA category | Product type (examples) | Max. usage (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Category 4 | Perfumes, eau de toilette, aftershave | ✅ No limitation |
| Average usage | In perfume formulas | 0.47% recommended |
| Other categories | Depending on toxicological assessment | Variable / Limited |
Summary
- Muscone is safe to use in perfumes without IFRA restriction for Category 4.
- It is recommended in low doses (0.1–0.5%) for a subtle musk base, and up to 5% for functional products such as detergents.
- Thanks to its long fragrance life (> 400 hours) and biodegradable profile (50–70%), Muscone is a favorite with niche perfumers.
