Galaxolide (HHCB) – the Clean Musk

Galaxolide (HHCB) – the Clean Musk

If you think of “fresh laundry”, you are most likely smelling Galaxolide. This polycyclic musk has been in fabric softeners, detergents and perfumes since the late 1960s and has shaped what many people think musk is: clean, soft, slightly sweet.

Contents

  1. What is Galaxolide?
  2. Origin: IFF, 1965
  3. What does Galaxolide smell like?
  4. Four stereoisomers, two of them strong
  5. Use in the formula
  6. Why 50% in DPG?
  7. Environment and regulation
  8. FAQ

1. What is Galaxolide?

Galaxolide is IFF's trade name for HHCB (hexamethylindanopyran, CAS 1222-05-5, formula C18H26O, 258.4 g/mol). It is a polycyclic musk and one of the most widely used musk aroma chemicals worldwide.

2. Origin: IFF, 1965

Galaxolide was developed at International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) in the 1960s by Heeringa and Beets and first synthesized in 1965. From the late 1960s it was used in fabric softeners and detergents, where it remains one of the most important fragrance materials (source: Wikipedia, “Galaxolide”).

3. What does Galaxolide smell like?

Clean and sweet, with light floral and woody nuances. No animalic character. Even at high concentration it stays transparent; on the blotter it lasts more than 48 hours.

4. Four stereoisomers, two of them strong

HHCB has two chiral centers (C4 and C7) and therefore exists as a mixture of four stereoisomers: (4R,7R), (4R,7S), (4S,7S) and (4S,7R). The two 4S forms are considered the strongest musk carriers, with odor thresholds of 1 ng/L or below (source: Wikipedia). This explains why even small amounts are clearly noticeable.

5. Use in the formula

  • White-musk and clean-musk accords – as the main musk note
  • Fixative – extends the longevity of almost any composition
  • Volume and bloom – rounds off floral, woody and oriental bases
  • Functional perfumery – shampoo, shower gel, detergent, fabric softener

Combines well with other musk types such as Helvetolide® or Habanolide®, with ISO E Super® and with Ambroxan (all versions). For an overview of the musk families see Musk molecules compared.

6. Why 50% in DPG?

Pure HHCB is a highly viscous, almost solid mass at room temperature and is hard to weigh out cleanly. That is why the 50% solution in dipropylene glycol (DPG) is the standard: clear, free-flowing, precisely dosable. 1 g of the solution equals 0.5 g HHCB.

7. Environment and regulation

Galaxolide was registered with ECHA under REACH in December 2010. In the EU it is not classified as a PBT substance; the US EPA, however, rates it as moderately persistent and bioaccumulative and designated it a high-priority substance for risk evaluation in 2019 (source: Wikipedia). A harmonised CLP classification is currently under review at ECHA. Our 50% solution is labelled H410 (very toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects). Never pour residues down the drain.

FAQ about Galaxolide

Is Galaxolide the same as HHCB?

Yes. Galaxolide is IFF's trade name for HHCB (hexamethylindanopyran).

What does Galaxolide smell like?

Clean, soft musk – sweet, slightly floral and woody, the typical “fresh laundry” impression.

Why is Galaxolide sold diluted?

Pure, it is almost solid and hard to dose. The 50% solution in DPG flows freely and has a fixed dilution factor.

Who developed Galaxolide?

Heeringa and Beets at IFF; first synthesized in 1965.

Buy Galaxolide 50% in DPG – from €18 (20 ml) →