(±)-camphor

(±)-Camphor (C₁₀H₁₆O) is a bicyclic monoterpenoid ketone, presenting as a white crystalline solid with a characteristic penetrating camphoreous odor and flavor. It is also known by various synonyms including 1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one, bornan-2-one, and DL-2-bornanone. This compound is widely used in flavor and fragrance formulations due to its distinctive sensory attributes. It occurs naturally in the wood of the camphor laurel (Cinnamomum camphora) and in several essential oils, as well as being produced synthetically for commercial applications. For an authoritative chemical reference, see its PubChem entry. The compound's production involves both extraction from natural sources and synthetic preparation, with grades ranging from technical to USP standards.

(±)-Camphor is found in various natural sources including essential oils of Artemisia species, rosemary, sage, lavender, and yarrow, often constituting significant percentages of the oil composition. Its biological presence contributes to the characteristic aromas of these plants. Industrially, camphor serves as a key ingredient in flavor and fragrance formulations, being valued for its camphoreous odor and taste. According to FEMA (US) standards, camphor is recognized as a flavoring substance and fragrance agent, with usage levels carefully regulated to ensure safety. Additional applications include its role as a plasticizer and denaturant in cosmetic and industrial products, contributing to film formation and modifying physical properties of formulations. The compound's physical and chemical properties, such as moderate volatility and solubility, enable its versatile incorporation into diverse product types.

(±)-Camphor is characterized by a molecular weight of approximately 152.24 g/mol and a bicyclic ketone structure that defines its stability and reactivity. It melts between 176 and 177°C and boils near 204 to 205°C at atmospheric pressure, with reduced boiling points under lower pressures. The compound exhibits a moderate logP value around 2.38, indicating balanced lipophilicity which aids its solubility in alcohol and limited water solubility (~1600 mg/L at 25°C). A vapor pressure of 0.65 mmHg at 25°C reflects its volatility, pertinent in fragrance release. The flash point is around 64°C (148°F), important for handling and formulation safety. These properties influence camphor’s behavior in mixtures, its evaporation rate, and interaction with other ingredients in flavored or fragranced products.

(IUPAC):	Atomic Weights of the Elements 2011 (pdf)
Videos:	The Periodic Table of Videos
tgsc:	Atomic Weights use for this web site
(IUPAC):	Periodic Table of the Elements
FDA Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS):	View
FDA Indirect Additives used in Food Contact Substances:	View
CHEBI:	View
CHEMBL:	View
KEGG (GenomeNet):	C18369
HMDB (The Human Metabolome Database):	Search
FooDB:	FDB029685
Export Tariff Code:	2914.29.3100
MedlinePlusSupp:	View
Typical G.C.
VCF-Online:	VCF Volatile Compounds in Food
ChemSpider:	View
Wikipedia:	View
Formulations/Preparations: •grades: technical (synthetic); usp. •alcanfor •natricaria camphor •root bark oil •twenty grams of vicks vaporub, 10 ml of campho-phenique, and 16 ml of vicks vaposteam each contain about 1 g of camphor. •preparations of camphor for local application include camphor spirit (10% in alcohol) and camphorated parachlorophenol (35% parachlorophenol and 65% camphor)andas a 0.1 to 3% lotion •trade names: balmosa cream (camphor 4%, menthol 2%, methyl salicylate 4%, capsicum oleoresin 0.035%); boots vapor rub; earex (almond oil 33.33%, arachis oil 33.33%, camphor oil 33.33%); mentholatum vapor rub (camphor 9%, menthol 1.35%, methyl salicylate 0.33%); nasciodine (iodine 1.26%, menthol 0.59%, methyl salicylate 3.87%, turpentine oil 3.87%, camphor 3.87%); nicobrevin (methyl valerate 100 mg, quinine 15 mg, camphor 10 mg, eucalyptus oil 10 mg); pr heat spray (camphor 0.62%, methyl salicylate 1.24%, ethyl nicotinate 1.1%); radian-b -liniment and spray (menthol 1.4%, camphor 0.6%, ammonium salicylate 1%, salicylic acid 0.54%), -rub (menthol 2.54%, camphor 1.43%, methyl salicylate 0.42%, capsicin 0.042%), -cream (camphor 1.43%, menthol 2.54%, methyl salicylate 0.42%, oleoresin capsicum 0.005%); tixylix inhalant (camphor 60 mg, menthol 2 mg, turpentine oil 50 mg, eucalyptus oil 20 mg); vicks inhaler (camphor 41.54%, menthol 41.54%, siberian pine needle oil 4.65%); vicks sinex (oxymetazoline 0.05%, menthol 0.025%, camphor 0.015%, eucalyptus oil 0.0075%); vicks vaporub (menthol 2.82%, camphor 5.46%, eucalyptus oil 1.35%, turpentine oil 4.71%). •non-proprietary preparations: camphor linctus compound (camphor spirit compound 1 ml, glycerol 1.5 ml, tolu syrup to 5 ml); camphor liniment (camphor 20% ww in arachis oil) (a.k.a. camph. lin; camphorated oil); camphor spirit (camphor 10 g, alcohol to 100 ml); camphor spirit compound (camphor 300 mg, benzoic acid 500 mg, anise oil 0.3 ml, alcohol (60%) to 100 ml); concentrated camphor water (camphor 4 g, alcohol (90%) 60 ml, water to 100 ml).

Safety information

Preferred SDS: View
European information :
Most important hazard(s):
Xn - Harmful.
R 20/21/22 - Harmful by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed. R 36/37/38 - Irritating to eyes, respiratory system, and skin. R 40 - Limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect. 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)
None found.
GHS Label elements, including precautionary statements
Pictogram
Hazard statement(s)
None found.
Precautionary statement(s)
None found.
Oral/Parenteral Toxicity:
oral-mouse LD50 1310 mg/kg Shika Gakuho. Journal of Dentistry. Vol. 75, Pg. 934, 1975. intraperitoneal-mouse LD50 3000 mg/kg BEHAVIORAL: CONVULSIONS OR EFFECT ON SEIZURE THRESHOLD BEHAVIORAL: CHANGES IN MOTOR ACTIVITY (SPECIFIC ASSAY) BEHAVIORAL: REGIDITY American Journal of Pathology. Vol. 30, Pg. 857, 1954. intraperitoneal-cat LDLo 400 mg/kg "Abdernalden's Handbuch der Biologischen Arbeitsmethoden." Vol. 4, Pg. 1289, 1935. unreported-child LDLo 100 mg/kg Yakkyoku. Pharmacy. Vol. 31, Pg. 1499, 1980. oral-child TDLo 51 mg/kg BEHAVIORAL: SOMNOLENCE (GENERAL DEPRESSED ACTIVITY) BEHAVIORAL: CONVULSIONS OR EFFECT ON SEIZURE THRESHOLD American Journal of Emergency Medicine. Vol. 7, Pg. 41, 1989. oral-dog LDLo 800 mg/kg "Abdernalden's Handbuch der Biologischen Arbeitsmethoden." Vol. 4, Pg. 1289, 1935. unreported-man LDLo 29 mg/kg "Poisoning; Toxicology, Symptoms, Treatments," 2nd ed., Arena, J.M., Springfield, IL, C.C. Thomas, 1970Vol. 2, Pg. 73, 1970. oral-rabbit LDLo 2000 mg/kg BEHAVIORAL: CONVULSIONS OR EFFECT ON SEIZURE THRESHOLD BEHAVIORAL: CHANGES IN MOTOR ACTIVITY (SPECIFIC ASSAY) BEHAVIORAL: REGIDITY American Journal of Pathology. Vol. 30, Pg. 857, 1954. intraperitoneal-rat LDLo 900 mg/kg BEHAVIORAL: CONVULSIONS OR EFFECT ON SEIZURE THRESHOLD Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. Vol. 65, Pg. 275, 1939.
Dermal Toxicity:
subcutaneous-rat LD50 70 mg/kg "Ueber die Pharmakologische Wirkung eines dem Pentamethylentetrazol Vol. -, Pg. -, 1934. subcutaneous-frog LDLo 240 mg/kg PERIPHERAL NERVE AND SENSATION: SPASTIC PARALYSIS WITH OR WITHOUT SENSORY CHANGE Archiv fuer Experimentelle Pathologie und Pharmakologie. Vol. 50, Pg. 199, 1903. subcutaneous-mouse LDLo 200 mg/kg BEHAVIORAL: EXCITEMENT "Pharmakologische Prufung von Analgetika, Dissertation," Herrlen, G., Pharmakologischen Institut der Universitat Tubingen, Fed. Rep. Ger., 1933Vol. -, Pg. -, 1933.
Inhalation Toxicity:
inhalation-mouse LCLo 400 mg/m3/3H BEHAVIORAL: MUSCLE CONTRACTION OR SPASTICITY) Gigiena i Sanitariya. For English translation, see HYSAAV. Vol. 22(11), Pg. 83, 1957.

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
Recommendation for (±)-camphor usage levels up to:
	4.0000 % in the fragrance concentrate.
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: 24
Click here to view publication 24
		average usual ppm	average maximum ppm
baked goods:		1.00000	10.00000
beverages(nonalcoholic):		0.01000	0.20000
beverages(alcoholic):		-	-
breakfast cereal:		-	-
cheese:		-	-
chewing gum:		20.00000	100.00000
condiments / relishes:		-	-
confectionery froastings:		-	-
egg products:		-	-
fats / oils:		1.00000	10.00000
fish products:		-	-
frozen dairy:		-	-
fruit ices:		0.02000	2.00000
gelatins / puddings:		-	-
granulated sugar:		-	-
gravies:		-	-
hard candy:		5.00000	50.00000
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 Authority (EFSA) reference(s):

Camphor in flavourings and other food ingredients with flavouring properties - Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Materials in Contact with Food on a request from the Commission View page or View pdf

EPI System: View

ClinicalTrials.gov:search

Daily Med:search

NIOSH International Chemical Safety Cards:search

NIOSH Pocket Guide:search

AIDS Citations:Search

Cancer Citations:Search

Toxicology Citations:Search

EPA Substance Registry Services (TSCA):76-22-2

EPA ACToR:Toxicology Data

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS):Registry

Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary :2537

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases:Data

WISER:UN 2717

WGK Germany:1

1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one

Chemidplus:0000076222

EPA/NOAA CAMEO:hazardous materials

RTECS:76-22-2