dextro,laevo-isoborneol

Isoborneol, often referenced as DL-isoborneol, is a bicyclic secondary alcohol with the molecular formula C₁₀H₁₈O. It appears typically as crystalline solids and is well characterized for its distinctive balsamic and camphoreous odor profile. Known by various synonyms including exo-2-bornanol, isobornyl alcohol, and dl-iso camphol, it belongs to the class of natural terpene alcohols commonly found in essential oils. Isoborneol is frequently used as a flavor and fragrance ingredient. PubChem provides a comprehensive chemical reference [PubChem CID 61060]. This compound is generally derived from natural sources, particularly through extraction from diverse plant essential oils or synthesized to mimic these natural olfactory and flavor attributes.

Isoborneol occurs naturally in numerous plant species and essential oils, including but not limited to basil, bay laurel leaf, cardamom seed oil, cinnamon bark and leaf oils, coriander seed oil, eucalyptus leaf oils from various species, geranium oil, ginger rhizome oil, rosemary leaf oil, sage oil, thyme oil, and turmeric rhizome oil. This broad occurrence indicates its role as a secondary metabolite in many aromatic plants. Due to its characteristic balsamic and camphoreous aroma, it is widely applied as a flavor and fragrance agent. It serves to replicate or enhance natural notes such as balsam, camphor, herbal, woody, and spice in formulations. The compound is recognized under FEMA (US) with number 2158 and evaluated by IFRA (Global), allowing its controlled use in perfuming agents and certain flavor formulations.

Isoborneol displays moderate volatility, with a vapor pressure of approximately 0.04 mmHg at 25 °C, reflecting its balance between persistence and volatility in olfactory applications. Its flash point is reported at 200 °F, highlighting considerations for safe handling and storage. The compound exhibits a logP of 3.24, indicating lipophilic character important for solubility in various solvent systems including dipropylene glycol and ethanol-based alcohols, while showing limited water solubility estimated at 1186 mg/L at 25 °C. Isoborneol maintains stability without discoloration in most media, and it has a recommended shelf life of 36 months or longer under proper storage conditions—cool, dry, and protected from heat and light. These properties influence its formulation and usage in flavor and fragrance products, particularly in balancing substantivity and olfactive impact.

(IUPAC):	Atomic Weights of the Elements 2011 (pdf)
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tgsc:	Atomic Weights use for this web site
(IUPAC):	Periodic Table of the Elements
FDA Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS):	View
KEGG (GenomeNet):	C01411
HMDB (The Human Metabolome Database):	Search
FooDB:	FDB013574
Export Tariff Code:	2906.19.5000
Typical G.C.
VCF-Online:	VCF Volatile Compounds in Food
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Wikipedia:	View

Safety information

Preferred SDS: View
European information :
Most important hazard(s):
Xi - Irritant
R 36/37/38 - Irritating to eyes, respiratory system, and skin. R 42/43 - May cause sensitization by inhalation and skin contact. S 02 - Keep out of the reach of children. S 26 - In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice. S 36 - Wear suitable protective clothing.
Hazards identification
Classification of the substance or mixture
GHS Classification in accordance with 29 CFR 1910 (OSHA HCS)
Flammable solids (Category 1), H228 Skin irritation (Category 2), H315
GHS Label elements, including precautionary statements
Pictogram
Signal word	Danger
Hazard statement(s)
H228 - Flammable solid H315 - Causes skin irritation
Precautionary statement(s)
P210 - Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot surfaces. — No smoking. P240 - Ground/bond container and receiving equipment. P241 - Use explosion-proof electrical/ventilating/lighting/…/equipment. P264 - Wash skin thouroughly after handling. P280 - Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection. P302 + P352 - IF ON SKIN: wash with plenty of soap and water. P332 + P313 - IF SKIN irritation occurs: Get medical advice/attention. P362 - Take off contaminated clothing and wash before reuse. P370 + P378 - In case of fire: Use dry sand, dry chemical or alcohol-resistant foam for extinction.
Oral/Parenteral Toxicity:
oral-rat LD50 5200 mg/kg (Moreno, 1977abp) intravenous-mouse LD50 56 mg/kg U.S. Army Armament Research & Development Command, Chemical Systems Laboratory, NIOSH Exchange Chemicals. Vol. NX#03209 oral-rat LD50 5200 mg/kg Food and Cosmetics Toxicology. Vol. 17, Pg. 531, 1979.
Dermal Toxicity:
skin-rabbit LD50 > 5000 mg/kg Food and Cosmetics Toxicology. Vol. 17, Pg. 531, 1979.
Inhalation Toxicity:
Not determined

Safety in use information

Category:
flavor and fragrance agents
RIFM Fragrance Material Safety Assessment: Search
IFRA Code of Practice Notification of the 49th Amendment to the IFRA Code of Practice
maximum skin levels for fine fragrances:
	0.3400 % and are based on the assumption that the fragrance mixture is used at 20% in a consumer product (IFRA Use Level Survey).(IFRA, 2006)
Recommendation for dextro,laevo-isoborneol usage levels up to:
	3.0000 % in the fragrance concentrate.
use level in formulae for use in cosmetics:
	0.5500 %
Dermal Systemic Exposure in Cosmetic Products:
	0.0140 mg/kg/day (IFRA, 2006)
Maximised Survey-derived Daily Intakes (MSDI-EU):		21.00 (μg/capita/day)
Maximised Survey-derived Daily Intakes (MSDI-USA):		0.07 (μg/capita/day)
Threshold of Concern:		1800 (μg/person/day)
Structure Class:		I
Use levels for FEMA GRAS flavoring substances on which the FEMA Expert Panel based its judgments that the substances are generally recognized as safe (GRAS).
The Expert Panel also publishes separate extensive reviews of scientific information on all FEMA GRAS flavoring substances and can be found at FEMA Flavor Ingredient Library
publication number: 3
Click here to view publication 3
		average usual ppm	average maximum ppm
baked goods:		-	8.30000
beverages(nonalcoholic):		-	6.20000
beverages(alcoholic):		-	-
breakfast cereal:		-	-
cheese:		-	-
chewing gum:		-	0.80000
condiments / relishes:		-	-
confectionery froastings:		-	-
egg products:		-	-
fats / oils:		-	-
fish products:		-	-
frozen dairy:		-	23.00000
fruit ices:		-	23.00000
gelatins / puddings:		-	-
granulated sugar:		-	-
gravies:		-	-
hard candy:		-	11.00000
imitation dairy:		-	-
instant coffee / tea:		-	-
jams / jellies:		-	-
meat products:		-	-
milk products:		-	-
nut products:		-	-
other grains:		-	-
poultry:		-	-
processed fruits:		-	-
processed vegetables:		-	-
reconstituted vegetables:		-	-
seasonings / flavors:		-	-
snack foods:		-	-
soft candy:		-	-
soups:		-	-
sugar substitutes:		-	-
sweet sauces:		-	-

Safety references

European Food Safety Athority(EFSA):Flavor usage levels; Subacute, Subchronic, Chronic and Carcinogenicity Studies; Developmental / Reproductive Toxicity Studies; Genotoxicity Studies...

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reference(s):

Flavouring Group Evaluation 47, (FGE.47)[1] - Bicyclic secondary alcohols, ketones and related esters from chemical group 8 - Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Materials in Contact with Food View page or View pdf

Flavouring Group Evaluation 87, (FGE.87)[1] - Consideration of bicyclic secondary alcohols, ketones and related esters evaluated by JECFA (63rd meeting) structurally related to bicyclic secondary alcohols, ketones and related esters evaluated by EFSA in FGE.47 (2008) - Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Materials in Contact with Food View page or View pdf

Flavouring Group Evaluation 14, Revision 1 (FGE.14Rev1): Phenethyl alcohol, aldehyde, acetals, carboxylic acid and related esters from chemical group 15 and 22 [1] - Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Materials in Contact with Food View page or View pdf

Scientific Opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation 87 Revision 1 (FGE.87Rev1): Consideration of bicyclic secondary alcohols, ketones and related esters evaluated by JECFA (63rd meeting) structurally related to bicyclic secondary alcohols, ketones and related esters evaluated by EFSA in FGE.47 (2008) View page or View pdf

Scientific Opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation 87, Revision 2 (FGE.87Rev2): Consideration of bicyclic secondary alcohols, ketones and related esters evaluated by JECFA (63rd meeting) structurally related to bicyclic secondary alcohols, ketones and related esters evaluated by EFSA in FGE.47Rev1 (2008) View page or View pdf

Safety and efficacy of secondary alicyclic saturated and unsaturated alcohols, ketones, ketals and esters with ketals containing alicyclic alcohols or ketones and esters containing secondary alicyclic alcohols from chemical group 8 when used as flavourings for all animal species View page or View pdf

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EPA Substance Registry Services (TSCA):124-76-5

EPA ACToR:Toxicology Data

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS):Registry

Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary :61060

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases:Data

WISER:UN 1325

WGK Germany:2

(1R,4S,6R)-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-6-ol

Chemidplus:0000124765

RTECS:NP7300000 for cas# 124-76-5