Product Name

ANETHOLE

Chemical Name: trans-Anethole / (E)-1-Methoxy-4-(1-propenyl)benzene
CAS No.: 4180-23-8

🟢 Difficulty: Beginner

⏳ Lasting: Medium

🌸 Note: Heart

Description

Anethole is a classic anisic aroma chemical best known for its distinctive sweet, anise-like and licorice character. It is the key odor-active compound responsible for much of the characteristic aroma of star anise, and it also occurs naturally in anise and fennel oils. PubChem describes its odor as that of anise oil with a sweet character.

In perfumery, Anethole is used to create anise, licorice, sweet-spicy and aromatic effects. It can give fragrance compositions a distinctive herbal sweetness and is particularly useful in anisic, aromatic, oriental, gourmand and liqueur-inspired accords. It can also be used as a modifier in floral compositions where a subtle sweet-spicy facet is desired. Atul lists synthetic Anethole for fine fragrance, home fragrance and personal-care applications, describing its odor as sweet, floral, anisic, balsamic, basil-like, mildly spicy and fruity.

Anethole is a strong character material, so it is best evaluated carefully in a dilution. It can quickly establish an unmistakable anise identity and is particularly useful when constructing star-anise, fennel, absinthe or licorice-style fragrance effects.

Odor Profile

• Sweet

• Anise-like

• Licorice-like

• Spicy

• Balsamic

• Herbal

• Slightly floral

• Mildly fruity

Recommended Formulation Level (Educational guideline only)

• Trace: 0.05–0.20%

• General use: 0.20–2.00%

• High-impact accords: 2.00–5.00%

These are formulation guidelines for perfumers and are not IFRA limits.

Works Well With

• Anisyl Alcohol

• Anisaldehyde

• Anisyl Acetate

• Estragole

• Fennel Oil

• Star Anise Oil

• Linalool

• Bergamot Oil

• Lavender Oil

• Vanillin

• Coumarin

• Benzoin

Common Applications

• Fine Fragrance

• Attars

• Anise Accords

• Oriental Fragrance

• Floral Fragrance

• Candles

• Soap

• Body Care

• Home Fragrance

• Flavor Applications

Perfumers' Tip

Use Anethole when you need a clear, recognizable anise or licorice character. Begin with a dilute solution and increase gradually, especially when working on floral or gourmand compositions.

For a richer anisic accord, combine it with anisyl alcohol, anisaldehyde and star-anise or fennel materials. For a warm sweet effect, try pairing it with vanillin, benzoin or coumarin.