Alpha-Pinene, with CAS number 80-56-8, is a bicyclic monoterpene commonly found in the essential oils of pine trees and other conifers. It is characterized by its fresh, pine-like aroma, which can also exhibit hints of citrus and herbal notes. In perfumery, Alpha-Pinene is often used to impart a bright, uplifting quality to compositions, making it a popular choice in both fragrance and flavor applications. It typically serves as a top note, contributing to the initial impression of a scent. Alpha-Pinene is versatile and can be found in a variety of fragrance families, including woody, aromatic, and fresh compositions. However, it is important to note that Alpha-Pinene is subject to regulatory scrutiny due to its potential allergenic properties. It is advisable for formulators to consider IFRA guidelines and safety assessments when incorporating this ingredient into their formulations, particularly in products intended for leave-on applications. Overall, Alpha-Pinene is valued for its natural character and ability to enhance the complexity of fragrance blends. — AI-generated summary, 2026-09-02.
Sharp, dry pine-forest character with a turpentine-like edge. Fresh and terpenic on first sniff, quickly revealing a resinous coniferous woodiness. Thin and volatile, evaporating fast with a slightly harsh, camphoraceous facet.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.
Perfume and Flavor Chemicals, page 1144.
Colorless mobile liquid.
Practically insoluble in water, soluble in alcohol (not in diluted alcohol) and miscible with most perfume oils. Almost insoluble in Propylene glycol and Glycerin.
Its odor is warm-resinous, refreshing Pine-like, but lower grades of this material may carry more pronounced 'Turpentine'-like odor, 'Rosin'-odor or even herbaceous-aromatic odor (common feature of autoxidized alpha-Pinene).
alpha-Pinene has a more balsamic taste, while beta-Pinene, less suitable for flavors, has a dry-woody character.
The material as such is not a very important perfume chemical. Apart from use in artificial Pine needle oil or fragrance, it will only be a minor ingredient in other compositions: artificial Lemon, Bergamot, Nutmeg, Geranium, Lavandin, etc. and for these particular purposes, the alpha-Pinene must be of high olfactory purity.
The title material is also used in flavor compositions, partly as ingredient in artificial Lemon and Nutmeg oils, partly as component of such type flavors. The concentration in the finished product will be about 15 to 150 ppm.
Produced by fractionation of Sulfate Turpentine or neutral Turpentine. It has also been made by isomerization of beta-Pinene.