Is Beta-Ionone natural or synthetic?

. Extraction: Produced synthetically or by beta-carotene degradation..

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Beta-Ionone

AROMA CHEMICALS / floral · violet · woody

Beta-Ionone

Category	AROMA CHEMICALS
Subcategory	floral · violet · woody
Origin
Volatility	Heart Note
Botanical	N/A - synthetic (naturally found in Boronia megastigma, Rosa spp.)
Appearance	Pale yellow clear liquid
Odor Strength	medium ,recommend smelling in a 10.00 % solution or less
Producing Countries	China, Germany, India
Pyramid	Heart

Warm, violet-woody, sweet. Beta-ionone (CAS 14901-07-6) is the principal violet-flower molecule: the warm, powdery sweetness that defines violet and orris.

Scent
The Full Story
Fun Fact
Extraction & Chemistry
In Perfumery

Scent

Warm, sweet, violet-woody. The defining violet molecule. More woody than alpha-ionone, more persistent. The molecule that makes orris root smell like violets despite being iris rhizome.

Evolution over time

Immediately

Warm violet-sweet, powdery

After a few hours

Woody-violet heart, persistent

After a few days

Long-lasting powdery-woody violet

The Full Story

Beta-ionone (CAS 14901-07-6) is a C13 norisoprenoid from carotenoid degradation. The molecule most directly responsible for classic violet-flower scent. Found in orris root, rose, violet flowers, raspberries, tomatoes, tea.

More woody and persistent than alpha-ionone. Contributes to iris and orris powdery quality.

Essential in violet reconstructions, iris accords, and powdery compositions.

Explore all seven extraits in the Discovery Set.

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Related: Alpha Ionone · Alpha Isomethyl Ionone · Boisiris · Diviniris · Iris · Iris Butter · Iris Pallida · Orris Absolute

Did You Know?

Did you know?

Beta-ionone is a degradation product of beta-carotene. When carotenoids break down in autumn leaves, they produce ionones. This is why autumn leaves have a faintly sweet, violet-like smell.

Extraction & Chemistry

Extraction method: Produced synthetically or by beta-carotene degradation.

Molecular Formula	C13H20O
CAS Number	14901-07-6
Botanical Name	N/A - synthetic (naturally found in Boronia megastigma, Rosa spp.)
IFRA Status	<= 2% Pseudoionone
Synonyms	BETA-IONONE · IONONE BETA · IONONE
Physical Properties
Odor Strength	medium ,recommend smelling in a 10.00 % solution or less
Lasting Power	112 hour(s) at 100.00 %
Appearance	Pale yellow clear liquid
Boiling Point	126.00 to 128.00 °C. @ 12.00 mm Hg
Flash Point	> 200.00 °F. TCC ( > 93.33 °C. )
Specific Gravity	0.93900 to 0.94700 @ 25.00 °C.
Refractive Index	1.51700 to 1.52200 @ 20.00 °C.

In Perfumery

Heart-to-base building block. CAS 14901-07-6. The primary violet molecule. Essential in violet, iris, and orris reconstructions. More woody and persistent than alpha-ionone. Found in orris, rose, violet, raspberry, tea.