Musk

Ambrettolide

Note Profile

Molecule 58 perfumes

About

Ambrettolide has a soft, musky aroma with delicate nuances of fruit and floral undertones. It is prized in perfumery for imparting a warm, sensual, and naturalistic musk character, often described as clean and slightly creamy. This note is used to add depth and longevity to fragrances, especially in modern musk compositions.

Scent Profile

Ambrettolide has a soft, musky scent with subtle fruity and floral facets, often likened to pear or iris. Its aroma is clean, slightly creamy, and enveloping, with a natural warmth that becomes more pronounced as it dries down. The musk character is refined and lacks the animalic harshness of some traditional musks.

ScentWheel

Breadthfocused

EnvelopeBase · ~24h lasting

Family Amber · Musk · Leather

Read off the wheel, not a label applied to the note.

What this is made of

isoambrettolide

Names this molecule

CAS 28645-51-4

CORRECTED 2026-08-14: this edge said the material was not held, and it is - as 'isoambrettolide' (CAS 28645-51-4). The gap was in the LOOKUP, not the catalogue: we store this molecule under its systematic or registry name, the edge was authored against the trade name, and nothing matched. Supplier catalogues published the CAS and PubChem confirmed it (CID 5355293). Previously: Ambrettolide (CAS 123-69-3) is a real musk we do not hold. We DO hold isoambrettolide (28645-51-4), which is a different molecule - linking the two wo

How the layers join

Origin

Ambrettolide is a macrocyclic musk compound originally identified in ambrette seed oil but is produced today via chemical synthesis, typically from renewable plant-based feedstocks. It is valued for being biodegradable and for its absence of animal-derived components.

Usage in Perfumery

Perfumers use ambrettolide primarily as a base note to impart lasting muskiness and enhance the diffusion of a fragrance. It blends well with florals, woods, and fruits, and is often used to modernise musk accords or provide a naturalistic softness in both feminine and unisex compositions.