Alpha-Irone (CAS# 79-69-6) is a premium natural aromatic ketone and a sesquiterpenoid that plays a crucial role in the fragrance and flavor industry. This compound is found naturally in very small amounts in the roots of the iris plant (especially Iris pallida and Iris germanica) and is the core component that creates the signature scent of orris butter. At room temperature, Alpha-Irone exists as a colorless to pale yellow liquid, highly soluble in alcohol and organic solvents but virtually insoluble in water.
Possessing a highly complex and captivating fragrance, Alpha-Irone offers a perfect combination of powdery violet floral notes, elegant woody tones, and a subtle touch of berry sweetness (such as raspberry). This compound is famous for its "lipstick" scent effect and is frequently used as a heart note or base note in perfume structures. It is an extremely powerful odorant, offering excellent diffusion and tenacity, capable of lasting from 104 hours up to 170 hours on a smelling strip.
In nature, the creation of Alpha-Irone is an extremely time-consuming and costly agricultural process. Fresh iris roots completely lack this scent; they must be grown underground for 3 years, then harvested, cleaned, and dried for an additional 2 to 5 years. During these drying years, natural oxidation and new enzymes gradually break down triterpenoid precursors (called iridals) to release irones. Because the natural extraction yield is incredibly low (requiring about 500kg of fresh roots to obtain 1kg of orris butter), this natural raw material is exceptionally expensive, often costing more than gold (up to 100,000 Euros/kg). Therefore, today's industry predominantly relies on chemical synthesis or biotechnology (enzymatic fermentation) to produce highly pure Alpha-Irone to meet commercial supply demands.
Alpha-Irone is most widely applied in fine fragrances, cosmetics, and personal care products to add depth, sophistication, and long-lasting performance. It is an indispensable ingredient for building violet, woody, and chypre accords, while also helping to round off the sharpness of aldehyde notes. Due to its very strong odor impact, this product typically only needs to be used at very low concentrations, ranging from 0.01% to 0.1% in the final product.
For storage, Alpha-Irone should be kept at temperatures below 25°C in tightly closed containers, away from direct light to prevent oxidative degradation. Regarding chemical safety, it is classified as a combustible liquid that may cause skin sensitization, serious eye irritation, and long-lasting toxic effects to aquatic life. Formulators are required to wear protective equipment (gloves, safety glasses) when handling it. Although Alpha-Irone is Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) as a flavoring agent, suppliers of highly pure synthetic grades often label it "not for food use" to bypass expensive food factory auditing requirements.
All orders will be processed within 1-2 business days from the time the order is confirmed.
Free shipping is available for international retail orders valued at 500 USD or more.
Delivery time is 1-3 business days for local areas, 3-7 days for suburban and nationwide deliveries, and 1-4 weeks for international orders.
You have 30 days from the date of receipt to initiate the return process.
