Database/Perfuming/Undecanal
Route-dependent · ISO 16128

Is Undecanal natural?

It depends. Bulk undecanal is mostly petrochemical, made by hydroformylation of a synthetic decene olefin; a smaller share is citrus-extracted.

INCI nameUndecanal
CAS112-44-7
FormulaC11H22O · 170.29 Da
FunctionPerfuming
FeedstockMost undecanal is synthesised from petrochemical decene via…

Why the score varies

This ingredient is made commercially by more than one route, and ISO 16128 scores the feedstock actually used. Without a supplier certificate of origin the value cannot be claimed.

RouteFeedstockNOIShareNotes
Petrochemical oxo-synthesis1-decene (petrochemical alpha-olefin)0.00~65%
Natural extractioncitrus essential oil1.00~35%
Ask your supplier. A batch-specific certificate of origin or bio-based carbon test (ASTM D6866) settles which route applies.

How we scored it

Two routes: (a) petrochemical oxo-synthesis, hydroformylation of 1-decene, 0.0; (b) isolated from citrus essential oil, 1.0.
What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.

Where it comes from

Most undecanal is synthesised from petrochemical decene via the oxo process. A smaller volume is isolated from citrus essential oils as a 'natural' fragrance material.

In plain English

A waxy, citrus-floral fragrance aldehyde. Large-scale production mostly uses a petroleum-based synthetic route, though it can also be isolated in small amounts from citrus oils.

Natural alternatives with the same function

2,6-Dimethyl-7-Octen-2-Ol 100% natural origin

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 Abies Alba Leaf Oil 100% natural origin

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 Abies Alba Needle Extract 100% natural origin

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 Abies Alba Needle Oil 100% natural origin

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 Abies Balsamea Needle Extract 100% natural origin

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Structure

2D structure of Undecanal

undecanal

PubChem CID 8186 ↗

References

  1. 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
  2. 2Undecanal. PubChem CID 8186. National Center for Biotechnology Information. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
  3. 3UNDECANAL. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  4. 4UNDECANAL. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=UNDECANAL