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Neoprene

Q: Is Neoprene natural or synthetic?

. Extraction: Not applicable — neoprene is a synthetic material concept. No extraction exists. The note is reconstructed from rubber-type synthetic accords..

NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC, POPULAR AND WEIRD / fresh · woody · floral

Neoprene

Category	NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC, POPULAR AND WEIRD
Subcategory	fresh · woody · floral
Origin
Volatility	Heart Note
Botanical	N/A — synthetic polymer
Appearance	Black or dark gray solid rubber (sheets, foam); milky white latex in liquid form
Odor Strength	Medium
Producing Countries	China, Japan, United States
Pyramid	Heart

Rubbery, chlorine-tinged, industrial. Neoprene smells like a wetsu it factory — synthetic rubber, faintly chemical, with a particular polymer warmth.

Scent
The Full Story
Fun Fact
Extraction & Chemistry
In Perfumery

Scent

Rubbery, faintly chlorine-chemical, warm-polymer. The smell of opening a new wetsuit or pulling on diving gloves — synthetic, slightly sweet, unmistakably industrial. Not unpleasant but distinctly non-natural.

Evolution over time

Immediately

Rubbery-chemical, warm polymer, faint chlorine

After a few hours

Softer rubber warmth, less chemical

After a few days

Faint warm rubbery residue

The Full Story

Neoprene (polychloroprene) is a synthetic rubber with a particular rubbery-chemical smell from residual chloroprene monomer and stabilizer compounds. In perfumery, it is a conceptual industrial note — not extracted but referenced for its cultural associations with diving, surfing, athletic wear, and industrial modernity.

The actual smell of neoprene involves chlorinated hydrocarbons, rubber-type volatiles (sulfur compounds from vulcanization), and various plasticizers. The overall impression is rubbery, slightly sweet-chemical, with a warm, polymer quality.

In fragrance, neoprene references are used in avant-garde, sport-inspired, and industrial-conceptual compositions. The note provides a distinctly modern, non-natural character.

Explore all seven extraits in the Discovery Set.

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Related: Alder · Alpha Humulene · Amaranth · Amberever · Ambramone · Amburana Bark · Antillone · Apple Tree

Did You Know?

Did you know?

Neoprene was invented by DuPont chemist Wallace Carothers in 1930 — it was the first commercially successful synthetic rubber, originally called 'DuPrene' before rebranding.

Extraction & Chemistry

Extraction method: Not applicable — neoprene is a synthetic material concept. No extraction exists. The note is reconstructed from rubber-type synthetic accords.

Molecular Formula	(C₄H₅Cl)ₙ — polychloroprene
CAS Number	9010-98-4
Botanical Name	N/A — synthetic polymer
IFRA Status	No known restrictions
Synonyms	polychloroprene
Physical Properties
Odor Strength	Medium
Appearance	Black or dark gray solid rubber (sheets, foam); milky white latex in liquid form
Specific Gravity	1.23 (solid)
Melting Point	decomposes above 230 °C

In Perfumery

Neoprene is a conceptual note used in avant-garde and sport-inspired compositions. Reconstructed from rubbery-industrial synthetics and warm polymer-type materials. Functions as a modern, industrial modifier. No natural extraction possible — entirely synthetic concept.