Guaiacol, with the CAS number 90-05-1, is a synthetic aroma chemical commonly used in perfumery for its distinctive smoky, phenolic character. It is often employed to impart warmth and depth to fragrance compositions, particularly in woody, oriental, and gourmand accords. Guaiacol can enhance the complexity of a scent, providing a unique twist that can evoke associations with natural materials like birch tar or certain types of wood. In formulations, it typically appears in lower concentrations due to its potent aroma, often serving as a supporting note rather than a primary ingredient. While Guaiacol is valued for its olfactory properties, it is important to note that it may be subject to safety and regulatory considerations. As with many synthetic aroma chemicals, perfumers should be aware of any relevant IFRA restrictions and potential allergenic effects, ensuring compliance with safety guidelines in cosmetic applications. Overall, Guaiacol is a versatile ingredient that can add a distinctive character to a wide range of fragrance formulations. — AI-generated summary, 2026-09-02.
Intensely smoky and phenolic with a medicinal, almost creosote-like character reminiscent of tarry wood smoke and old-fashioned cough syrup. Beneath the smoke lies a warm, slightly sweet vanilla-woody facet that gives it a rounded, balsamic depth. Extremely potent — a trace goes a long way and it dominates any blend.AI · claude-opus-4-7
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Other ingredients whose composition declares this material as a constituent. The percentage shown is the supplier-declared concentration in that parent.
| Ingredient | % | Range |
|---|---|---|
| OAKWOOD BASE (VENTOS) | — | 1–10% |
Perfume and Flavor Chemicals, page 607.
Colorless prismatic crystals that darken in air and daylight, melting to a colorless oily liquid.
1.7% soluble in water, soluble in glycerin, soluble in propylene glycol, miscible with alcohol and oils.
Powerful smoke-like, somewhat medicinal odor, sweeter than the prototype phenolic odor.
Warm, medicinal and somewhat sweet taste, but accompanied by a burning sensation, even in high dilution.
This phenolether is used in perfume compositions in very modest amounts for certain floral types, such as Cananga and Ylang Ylang, minute traces in Lilac, Narcissus, Lily, etc. It is also useful in Carnation, while somewhat higher proportions can be used in spice complexes.
Guaiacol finds some application in flavor compositions, such as imitation coffee, vanilla, whisky (smoky effect), tobacco, rum, etc. and in many fruit and spice complexes.
1) from ortho-Nitrophenol via ortho-Anisidine and the Diazo-compound. 2) from Pyrocatechol (Catechol) by monomethylation with potassium methyl sulfite, or with dimethylsulfate in aqueous alkali.