Safraleine is a proprietary Givaudan aroma chemical with a powerful spicy-leathery profile and a distinctive saffron-like character. It combines warm saffron, tobacco, and suede-like leather facets with subtle woody and rose-ketone floral nuances, creating a complex, tenacious base note. Perfumers use it widely in modern compositions to deliver impactful saffron-leather effects with excellent stability and diffusion.
Scent Profile
Olfactorily, Safraleine is characterized by an intensely warm, spicy-leathery odor with a clear resemblance to natural saffron. It exhibits prominent tobacco and suede facets, supported by woody and slightly phenolic undertones that give a dense, velvety texture. At lower dosages, rose ketone-like floral and herbal nuances emerge, adding refinement and a faintly aromatic brightness to its otherwise deep, oriental character.
CORRECTED 2026-08-14: this edge said the material was not held, and it is - as '2,3,3-trimethylindanone' (CAS 54440-17-4). 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 10149036). Previously: A Givaudan saffron captive we do not hold. The material that would realise this note is Safraleine; we do not hold it, so this edge names the gap rath
Safraleine is a fully synthetic fragrance ingredient developed and manufactured by Givaudan, designed as a modern saffron-leather specialty chemical. Chemically, it is an indenone derivative, identified as 2,3,3-trimethyl-2H-inden-1-one (also known as saffron indenone), supplied as a racemic mixture. It does not occur in nature and was engineered to capture and extend key facets of saffron while providing better stability, performance, and regulatory flexibility than restricted natural constituents such as safranal.
Usage in Perfumery
Perfumers primarily use Safraleine as a powerful base note in leather, tobacco, and warm spicy or amber-oriental compositions, typically at very low dosages due to its high odor strength. It is a go-to material for constructing saffron accords, enriching suede and black leather effects, and adding a hot, spicy glow around rose, woods, and lactonic notes. Beyond fine fragrance, it can also be employed in functional perfumery and even flavor applications (FEMA 4556), where its herbal-spicy warmth and saffron-like character add depth and complexity.
A selection of reviewed perfumes where Safraleine appears prominently.
No perfumes featuring this note have been reviewed yet. Check back soon.
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