Flavors & Fragrances
REACH
Farnesol
CAS Number
4602-84-0
EC Number
225-004-1
FEMA Number
FEMA 2478
What is Farnesol?
Farnesol (CAS 4602-84-0), also known as farnesyl alcohol and listed under FEMA 2478, is a naturally occurring sesquiterpene alcohol sourced from essential oils and produced synthetically for commercial supply.
Where is Farnesol used?
- Personal care and cosmetics: fragrance fixative
- Skin care, hair care and fine fragrance: deodorant active that anchors volatile scent components and inhibits odor-causing bacteria
- Food and beverage: floral, sweet and green nuances at approved usage levels
- Coatings and adhesives: bio-based reactive intermediate for cross-linking and curing
- Printing and packaging: compatible with resin systems requiring low-VOC or bio-derived building blocks
- It functions as a fragrance ingredient, flavor compound and reactive intermediate in formulation chemistry.
Commercial specifications
- Purity typically 95% or higher depending on intended application
- Packaging from small containers for laboratory and pilot-scale use to drum quantities for industrial procurement
Other Names (Synonyms)
3,7,11-Trimethyl-2,6,10-dodecatrien-1-ol|Farnesyl alcohol|FCI 119a|2,6,10-Dodecatrien-1-ol, 3,7,11-trimethyl-|Trimethyl dodecatrienol|Nikkosome|3,7,11-Trimethyl-2,6,10-dodecatrienol
What are the physical properties of Farnesol?
Melting Point <25 °C
Boiling Point 263 °C
Density 0.8871 g/cm³ @ Temp: 20 °C
Flash Point 205 °F
Appearance colourless liquid with a floral odour
Color Clear colorless to faint yellow
Odor at 100.00 %. mild fresh sweet linden floral angelica
Form Liquid
Water Solubility Not miscible or difficult to mix in water.
Vapor Pressure 13Pa at 20℃
Refractive Index n 20/D 1.490(lit.)
Log P 4.72 at 22.3℃
How is Farnesol classified and handled safely? Learn More
Warning
GHS07· Irritant GHS09· Environmental Hazard
Hazard Statements
H315 Causes skin irritation
H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction
H319 Causes serious eye irritation
H410 Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Precautionary Statements
P261 Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
P264 Wash … thoroughly after handling.
P272 Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace.
P273 Avoid release to the environment.
Which trade and regulatory codes apply to Farnesol?
HS Code 29052200
UN Number 3082
ADR Class 9
Packing Group III
Storage Class 10 - Combustible liquids
WGK (Germany) 3