16-Hexadecanolide (also known as Dihydroambrettolide, Juniper lactone, or Oxacycloheptadecan-2-one) is a premium macrocyclic lactone that is widely used in the fragrance and cosmetic industries. With a 17-membered ring structure, this compound offers high stability and serves as a perfect alternative to traditional animal musks. It is highly valued for its combination of exceptional tenacity and a refined, elegant scent profile.
The scent of 16-Hexadecanolide is characterized by a sweet "white musk" note, accompanied by warm, natural animalic and balsamic nuances. The most unique feature of this musk compared to others is its balanced impact across all three fragrance phases: top, heart, and base notes. Despite its high molecular weight providing extraordinary substantivity (lasting up to 400 hours on a smelling strip), its structural flexibility allows it to create a radiant "bloom" right from the first moments and imparts a soft, powdery feel.
In fine fragrance formulations, 16-Hexadecanolide acts as a bridge, unifying various scent components to create a smooth, velvety finish. Under standard conditions, it is a white to light yellow crystalline solid or amorphous paste, with a melting point ranging between 33°C and 38°C. This temperature range is ideal because it is close to human body temperature; when applied to the skin via perfumes or moisturizers, it remains in a semi-liquid state, facilitating a steady and continuous release of the fragrance.
Besides fine fragrances, this compound is highly favored in home care products, particularly in fabric conditioners and laundry detergents, where it delivers a clean, warm scent. Its hydrophobic nature (with a LogP of 6.65 to 7.3) helps it adhere strongly to wet fabric surfaces and retain its scent even after the drying process. Technically, it demonstrates good to excellent stability in cosmetics, soaps, and liquid detergents, effectively masking the base odors of surfactants. However, it is not recommended for use in bleach products, as the strong oxidative environment can break the lactone ring structure and destroy the musk odor. The typical maximum use level is up to 3% in fragrance compounds.
16-Hexadecanolide strictly complies with the safety standards of the International Fragrance Association (IFRA). Environmentally, this product is highly rated due to being readily biodegradable and having up to 99.9% renewable carbon origin. When handling the pure compound directly, standard protective measures should be used as it can cause skin irritation (H315) and serious eye irritation (H319), and it may pose toxicity risks to aquatic life if discharged directly into the environment.
All orders will be processed within 1-2 business days from the time the order is confirmed.
Free shipping is available for orders valued at $500 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.
