Woody

Ionone Beta

Note Profile

Natural

About

Ionone Beta (beta-ionone) is a classic aroma chemical with a violet-iris floral character accented by woody, powdery and fruity nuances. It contributes a soft yet diffusive violet and orris effect, often with raspberry-like and beeswax facets that add body and texture to compositions. Widely used in fine fragrance and functional perfumery, it is valued for linking floral hearts to woody and fruity undertones.

Scent Profile

Olfactorily, Ionone Beta is characterized by a **violet and orris-like floral core** with distinctive **woody and powdery** facets. Many descriptions note a **raspberry or red-berry fruitiness** and occasional tropical-fruit and beeswax nuances that add a soft, tactile sweetness to the accord. It tends to be smooth and diffusive rather than sharp, supporting violet, iris, freesia and osmanthus effects while subtly persisting into the drydown.

ScentWheel

Breadthbroad

Origin

Beta-ionone is a C13 nor-isoprenoid ketone produced industrially by degradation of carotenoids such as beta-carotene, followed by purification to high purity. Although it occurs naturally in various flowers, fruits, teas and essential oils, the material used in perfumery is almost always synthesized and then rectified to a defined isomeric composition. It belongs to the ionone subgroup of rose ketones, together with damascones and damascenones that have played a central role in modern floral perfumery since the late 19th century.

Usage in Perfumery

Perfumers use Ionone Beta primarily in the **heart and soft base** of fragrances to build violet, iris, freesia and general floral-woody accords. It is employed to give volume, powdery texture and a naturalistic floral impression, and it also supports raspberry, tea, tobacco and osmanthus notes thanks to its fruity-tobacco nuances. The material is common in fine fragrances as well as soaps, detergents and personal care products, where it provides a durable yet gentle floral-woody signature.