para-CRESOL, also known as 4-methylphenol, is a synthetic aroma chemical commonly used in perfumery for its distinctive sweet, phenolic, and slightly medicinal scent. It is often employed to add depth and complexity to fragrance compositions, particularly in woody, oriental, and fougère accords. In formulations, para-CRESOL typically functions as a modifier or enhancer, contributing to the overall character of a scent rather than serving as a primary note. Its unique profile allows it to blend well with other ingredients, providing a balancing effect in more complex formulations. However, para-CRESOL is subject to safety and regulatory considerations, as it can be a skin irritant and is classified under certain IFRA restrictions. Perfumers should be mindful of its usage levels to ensure compliance with safety guidelines and to avoid potential allergenic reactions in consumers. As with many synthetic aroma chemicals, it is essential to consider the overall formulation context and the presence of other ingredients when incorporating para-CRESOL into a fragrance. — AI-generated summary, 2026-09-02.
Intensely phenolic and animalic — a pungent, tar-like horse-stable note reminiscent of narcissus, leather and old ink. Extremely powerful in isolation with a barnyard, almost fecal edge; in trace amounts it lends a naturalistic warm-animalic depth to white florals and leather accords.AI · claude-opus-4-7
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Perfume and Flavor Chemicals, page 296.
White crystals
Soluble 1.8° in water, readily soluble in alcohol and perfume oils, soluble in glycerin.
Tarry-smoky, medicinal (“phenolic”) type odor. Strongest of the 3 isomers. In extreme dilution sweeter, almost floral, less leathery than meta-Cresol.
Useful in trace amounts as a floralizer for Narcissus and Lily type perfumes and bases. More recently used in “medicated” type soaps, partly as an odorant, partly for its bactericidal effect. Also used for artificial Ylang-Ylang and other floral bases.
Finds some use in flavor compositions, applied in trace amounts in imitation Vanilla, in Nut flavors, etc.
1) by Alkali fusion of para-Toluene sulfonic acid. 2) from para-Toluidine.