Coumarin, with the CAS number 91-64-5, is a naturally occurring compound found in various plants, most notably in tonka beans, sweet clover, and some types of cinnamon. It is characterized by its sweet, vanilla-like aroma, which makes it a popular ingredient in perfumery. Coumarin is often used to impart a warm, creamy note to fragrances, and it can be found in a variety of scent families, including oriental, floral, and gourmand compositions. In formulations, it typically serves as a base note, providing depth and richness to the overall scent profile. However, it is important to note that coumarin is subject to regulatory scrutiny due to its potential allergenic properties. It is classified as a common allergen and is included in the IFRA's list of restricted substances, which means that its usage in cosmetic products is regulated to ensure consumer safety. Perfumers must be mindful of these restrictions when incorporating coumarin into their creations. — AI-generated summary, 2026-09-02.
Sweet, hay-like and warmly powdery with a distinct new-mown-grass facet and a soft almond-vanilla undertone. The signature tonka bean character — creamy, slightly caramelised, and cosy — emerges as it settles on the blotter.AI · claude-opus-4-7
Composition, IFRA restriction figures, allergen concentrations and where this material is bought are part of Perfume Foundry’s curated library and need an account. Create one or sign in.
Other ingredients whose composition declares this material as a constituent. The percentage shown is the supplier-declared concentration in that parent.
| Ingredient | % | Range |
|---|---|---|
| TONKA BEAN CO2 | 88.24% | — |
| TONKA BEAN ABSOLUTE 10% | 75% | — |
| ORRISODORE | — | 10–25% |
| COCONUT DELIGHT | — | 5–10% |
| COUMARIN 10% IN DPG | 10% | — |
| FLEUR DE TABAC | — | 5–10% |
| OEILLET 208 | — | 3–5% |
| POIVRE FORT | — | 1–5% |
| SWEET CLOVER ABSOLUTE | — | …–5% |
| HELIOTROPE | 4.1584% | — |
| HAZELNUT | 3% | — |
| CASSIA ESSENTIAL OIL | 2% | — |
| PINEAPPLE NATPOP | 1.581% | — |
| HAY ABSOLUTE | 1.2% | — |
| CINNAMON BARK ESSENTIAL OIL | — | 0.1–1% |
| COCONUT FRAGRANCE OIL | 1% | — |
| SANDALWOOD FRAGRANCE | 1% | — |
| SANDALWOOD FRAGRANCE OIL | 1% | — |
| BANANA | 0.99% | — |
| GARDENIA | 0.9% | — |
| PINEAPPLE FRAGRANCE OIL | 0.6% | — |
| GUAVA BASE 270237 | — | 0.1–0.5% |
| TOBACCO ABSOLUTE | 0.3% | — |
| CINNAMON BARK CEYLON “SUPREME” OIL | 0.1% | — |
| LAVANDIN ABRIALIS OIL | 0.1% | — |
| LABDANUM RESINOID | 0.05% | — |
| TUBEROSE ABSOLUTE 3% DILUTION | 0.0297% | — |
| TUBEROSE “SIGNATURE” ABSOLUTE | 0.026% | — |
| PRUNELLA | 0.01% | — |
| IMMORTELLE ABSOLUTE | 0.008% | — |
| HYSSOP OIL | 0.005% | — |
| TOBACCO ABSOLUTE MD | 0.005% | — |
| ANGELICA SEED OIL | 0.003% | — |
| BLACK PEPPER OIL | 0.003% | — |
| CASTOREUM | 0.0013% | — |
| BLACK AGAR GIVCO 215/2 | 0.001% | — |
| GIVCO CASTOREUM SYNTHETIC | 0.0009% | — |
| PRUNOL SP | 0.0008% | — |
| JASMINE SAMBAC ABSOLUTE 10 | 0.0003% | — |
| OUD FIRBEST | 0.0002% | — |
| APPLE | — | — |
Perfume and Flavor Chemicals, page 295.
White crystals, crystalline powder, leaflets or rhomboid crystals.
Soluble 0.3% in water, 8° in alcohol, freely in most perfume oils.
Sweet, herbaceous-warm, somewhat spicy odor, in extreme dilution more haylike, nut-like, tobacco-like.
Bitter taste, except when highly diluted, then sweet-herbaceous, haylike, nutlike.
Extensively used in perfumery to support herbaceous odors, Lavender, Lavandin, Rosemary, Citrus oils, Oakmoss, etc., and as a fixative in numerous types of fragrances. Almost a standard ingredient in Fougére types with Amylsalicylate and Lavender-notes, with or without Oakmoss. A classical masking agent for Jodoform odor, Phenolic odors, Quinoline odors, etc.
Extracts of certain botanical materials, rich in Coumarin, are still in use as Tobacco flavoring agents and in other flavors.
1) from Salicylic aldehyde + Acetic anhydride + anhydrous Sodium acetate. 2) from ortho-Cresol + Carbonyl chloride, followed by chlorination of the resulting Carbonate, fusion of the Dichlorocresol carbonate with Alkali acetate and Acetic anhydride plus a catalyst.
Natural complex substances (NCSs) in which this material typically occurs.
| NCS | Botanical | Typical % |
|---|---|---|
| TONKA BEAN ABSOLUTE 10% | Dipteryx odorata | 46.7% |
| DEERTONGUE LEAF ABSOLUTE | Liatris odoratissima (Walt.) Willd. | 25% |
| HAY ABSOLUTE | Lolium perenne. L | 8% |
| MELILOTUS OFFICINALIS EXTRACT | Melilotus officinallis (L.) Pall. | 5% |
| CINNAMON BARK OIL, LAOS | Cinnamomum loureiroi Nees | 3% |
| FLOUVE OIL | Anthoxanthum odorantum L. | 2% |
| NARCISSUS POETICUS ABSOLUTE | Narcissus poeticus L. | 1.2% |
| CINNAMON BARK EXTRACT | Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume | 0.3% |
| LAVANDIN ABRIALIS OIL | Lavandula x intermedia abrialis | 0.2% |
| CASSIA BARK EXTRACT | Cinnamomum cassia Blume | 0.15% |
| LAVENDIN SUPER OIL | Lavendula super | 0.1% |
| PERU BALSAM | Myroxylon balsamum (L.) Harms var. pereirae (Royle) Harms | 0.03% |
| OSMANTHUS ABSOLUTE | Osmanthus fragrans Lour. | 0.02% |