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Mahonial

Q: Is Mahonial natural or synthetic?

. Extraction: Synthetic manufacture. Laboratory-produced molecule, not extracted from plant material..

FLOWERS / fruity · floral · sweet

Mahonial

Category	FLOWERS
Subcategory	fruity · floral · sweet
Origin
Volatility	Heart Note
Botanical	N/A — synthetic molecule with floral character
Appearance	Colorless to pale yellow liquid
Odor Strength	Medium
Producing Countries	N/A — synthetic captive, manufactured by a Swiss fragrance house
Pyramid	Heart

A synthetic lily-of-the-valley molecule with a clean, green-floral radiance. Mahonial brings muguet brightness without indole, making it lighter and more contemporary.

Scent
The Full Story
Fun Fact
Extraction & Chemistry
In Perfumery

Scent

Clean, green-floral with a watery muguet brightness. Metallic-fresh, transparent, and radiant. Less heavy than hydroxycitronellal, less skin-sensitizing than Lilial. A cucumber-like freshness may be detectable underneath the floral. Modern and uncluttered.

Evolution over time

Immediately

Clean green-floral burst, metallic freshness

After a few hours

Watery muguet, transparent radiance

After a few days

Soft green-floral trace

The Full Story

Mahonial is a synthetic aroma molecule designed to contribute lily-of-the-valley (muguet) character to compositions. It belongs to the aldehyde family of floral synthetics that perfumers use to build muguet accords, alongside molecules like Lilial (now restricted), hydroxycitronellal, and Bourgeonal.

The molecule provides a clean, green-floral radiance with a specific muguet brightness: watery, slightly metallic, and transparent. It lacks the heavier, more indolic qualities that natural lily-of-the-valley can possess, making it useful in modern, clean compositions.

In composition, Mahonial functions as a heart modifier in muguet, white-floral, and clean compositions. It is particularly valuable as a replacement or complement to restricted muguet materials, maintaining the fresh, watery-green character that defines the lily-of-the-valley accord.

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

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Did You Know?

Did you know?

Natural lily-of-the-valley cannot be effectively distilled or extracted. The muguet note in perfumery has been entirely synthetic since the late 19th century. Every muguet perfume ever made relies on synthetic molecules, making it one of the great achievements of perfumery chemistry.

Extraction & Chemistry

Extraction method: Synthetic manufacture. Laboratory-produced molecule, not extracted from plant material.

Molecular Formula	N/A — proprietary captive molecule (a Swiss fragrance house)
CAS Number	N/A — proprietary captive molecule (a Swiss fragrance house)
Botanical Name	N/A — synthetic molecule with floral character
IFRA Status	No known restrictions
Synonyms	MAHONIAL
Physical Properties
Odor Strength	Medium
Appearance	Colorless to pale yellow liquid

In Perfumery

Mahonial is a synthetic heart modifier providing clean muguet character in white-floral and fresh compositions. It offers a regulatory-compliant alternative to restricted muguet molecules. The clean, green-radiant profile suits modern compositions prioritizing freshness and transparency. Works alongside hydroxycitronellal, Bourgeonal, and lyral replacements in building muguet accords.