Ortho-cresyl (ortho-cresol / 2-methylphenol) is a sharp, phenolic aroma chemical with a distinct tar-like, smoky, and leathery character. It has a pungent medicinal edge reminiscent of creosote or coal tar, softening into drier woody-leather facets. Used in trace amounts for leather, birch-tar, and smoky-animalic effects.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.
Perfume and Flavor Chemicals, page 307.
White crystals.
Insoluble in water, soluble in alcohol, miscible with perfume oils.
More musky, and also milder than the para-Cresyl phenylacetate, but produces very chemical overtones slightly beyond normal use-level.
Useful in honey-bases, and in jasmine, lilac, narcissus bases, etc.
Produced from meta-Cresol sodium plus phenyl acetylchloride.