Para-cresol
Aroma Chemical Heart Note CAS 106-44-5
A strong phenolic note with a narcissus and mimosa character and an animalic facet. Used in the smallest traces, it adds a narcotic leathery depth to florals.
Odor profile
| Note | Heart Note |
| Descriptor 1 | Floral |
| Descriptor 2 | Jasmin |
| Descriptor 3 | Ylang |
| Odor Impact1 | 1000 |
| Tenacity1 | 20 h |
| Tenacity2 | 400 h |
1 Source: PerfumersWorld
2 Source: The Good Scents Company
Both tenacity figures are blotter life. The two labs use different evaluation protocols, so the numbers are not directly comparable — read them as two independent readings, not as a contradiction.
Identification
| CAS Number | 106-44-5 |
| INCI Name | P-cresol |
| Category | Aroma Chemical |
| Formula | C7H8O |
| Mol. Weight | 108.14 |
| IUPAC Name | 4-methylphenol |
| InChIKey | IWDCLRJOBJJRNH-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
Synonyms
P-Cresol, Cresol, Para, Hydroxy-4-methyl Benzene, methyl-4-hydroxybenzene, 1-methyl-4-hydroxybenzene, 4-cresol, 4-Methylphenol, Phenol, 4-methyl, p-cresol natural, cresol para pure, p-cresylic acid, para-cresylic acid, 1-hydroxy-4-methyl benzene, 1-hydroxy-4-methylbenzene, 4-hydroxytoluene, p-hydroxytoluene, para-hydroxytoluene, p-methyl hydroxybenzene, para-methyl hydroxybenzene, 4-methyl phenol, p-methyl phenol, para-methyl phenol, p-methylphenol, p-oxy toluene, para-oxy toluene, p-toluol, para-toluol
Physical and chemical data
| Boiling Point | 201.8 °C |
| Melting Point | 34.8 °C |
| Flash Point | 86.1 °C |
| Density | 1.034 |
| Refractive Index | 1.5395 |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.04 mmHg at 68 °F ; 0.11 mmHg at 77 °F (NTP, 1992) |
| LogP | 1.9 |
| Solubility | In water, 2.15X10+4 mg/L at 25 °C |
| Appearance | P-cresol is a colorless solid with a tar like odor. Sinks and mixes slowly with water. (USCG, 1999) |
Regulatory status
IFRA maximum concentrations
| Category | Use | Limit in the finished product |
|---|---|---|
| Category 1 | Lip products, toys | 0.0050 % |
| Category 2 | Deodorants, antiperspirants | 0.0050 % |
| Category 3 | Eye products | 0.0050 % |
| Category 4 | Fine fragrance | 0.0050 % |
| Category 5A | Body lotion | 0.0050 % |
| Category 5B | Face cream | 0.0050 % |
| Category 5C | Hand cream | 0.0050 % |
| Category 5D | Baby creams, oils | 0.0017 % |
| Category 6 | Oral care, mouthwash | 0.0050 % |
| Category 7A | Rinse-off hair products | 0.0050 % |
| Category 7B | Leave-on hair products | 0.0050 % |
| Category 8 | Intimate and baby wipes | 0.0017 % |
| Category 9 | Soap, shampoo, rinse-off | 0.0050 % |
| Category 10A | Household care, hand contact | 0.0050 % |
| Category 10B | Aerosol air fresheners | 0.0050 % |
| Category 11A | Intended skin contact | 0.0017 % |
| Category 11B | Minimal skin contact | 0.0017 % |
| Category 12 | No skin contact, candles | Not restricted |
| IFRA Amendment | 51 |
| Restriction Type | Restriction |
| Critical Effect | Depigmentation |
All figures on this page are guide values collected from public reference works and supplier declarations. They differ between batches, origins and qualities. The data sheet of your own supplier is always the authoritative document for the material you actually use.