Musk refers to a class of fragrance materials that are characterized by their warm, sweet, and animalic scent profile. Traditionally derived from the glandular secretions of the male musk deer, natural musk is now largely replaced by synthetic alternatives due to ethical and sustainability concerns. In perfumery, musk is often used as a base note, providing depth and richness to compositions. It acts as a fixative, helping to prolong the longevity of other volatile fragrance components. Musk can be found in a variety of fragrance families, including floral, oriental, and woody scents, where it enhances the overall warmth and sensuality of the blend. Regulatory considerations are important when using musk in formulations, as certain synthetic musks may be subject to restrictions under IFRA guidelines due to potential allergenic properties. Perfumers should be aware of these regulations and select musks that comply with safety standards to ensure consumer safety and product compliance. — AI-generated summary, 2026-09-02.
A generic synthetic musk character — soft, warm, and skin-like with a powdery, slightly sweet animalic warmth. Diffuse and clean rather than sharp, giving a rounded, sensual base that lingers close to the skin.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 984.
Pale yellowish crystals or yellowish-whitish crystalline powder.
Practically insoluble in water, soluble in alcohol, soluble in Diethylphthalate, soluble in Benzylbenzoate. Sufficiently soluble in most perfume materials, except in terpenes and other hydrocarbons. Almost insoluble in propylene glycol and glycerin.
Delicately sweet-musky, mildly, but unquestionably animal-like and very tenacious odor.
This Nitromusk represents one of the most successful improvements of the three classical musks. The title material has the advantage of being stable under exposure to daylight, yet it has the odor characteristics of Musk Ketone, perhaps slightly more delicately animal and sweet. This musk is used on a large scale even today with strong competition from non-nitrous musks. It contributes pleasant and lasting undertones in powdery-floral and Oriental fragrances, in colognes and soap perfumes.
The subject Nitromusk is not permitted in food flavors in the U.S.A.
Produced from meta-Xylene via its tertiary-Butylderivative, followed by treatment with formaldehyde and hydrochloric acid, reduction and nitration to title material.