Jasmolactone

Rich, creamy, and floral with a natural jasmine-petal quality. The first impression is sweet and fruity -- peach skin, ripe apricot -- which quickly opens into a broader floral radiance suggesting jasmine petals warmed by morning sun. A creamy, almost coconut-milk undertone gives it body. Richer than hedione, less indolic than jasmine absolute.

Jasmolactone (delta-jasmolactone, CAS 32764-98-0) is a synthetic lactone with a rich, natural-smelling jasmine character enhanced by creamy peach-apricot fruitiness and a particular coconut-milk warmth. It is a valued specialty molecules in fine fragrance.

Chemically, jasmolactone is 5-hydroxy-7-decenoic acid delta-lactone, synthesized via intramolecular esterification. It occurs naturally in trace amounts in osmanthus absolute, but the quantities are far too small for natural extraction -- all commercial supply is synthetic.

The molecule excels at naturalizing white flower accords. At concentrations of 0.1-1%, jasmolactone adds a luminous, petal-like radiance to jasmine, tuberose, and gardenia reconstructions that purely aldehydic or indolic approaches cannot achieve. The lactonic character provides body and creaminess without the heaviness of animal notes.

Jasmolactone is produced by a Swiss fragrance house (as Jasminlactone) and is widely available. Its versatility extends beyond florals: it enhances amber bases, provides fruity-creamy warmth in gourmand compositions, and adds a soft, skin-like quality to musks.

Related molecules include gamma-jasmolactone (more fatty, peanut-like) and various positional isomers with slightly different olfactory profiles.

This note in Première Peau. Nuit Elastique · Rose Monotone. Sample all seven extraits in the Discovery Set.

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Related: Accord Eudora · African Marigold · Alpha Amylcinnamaldehyde · Alyssum · Angels Trumpet · Aquaflora · Ashoka Flower · Aurantiol