Ambroxide Cryst. (Symrise) | Ambroxan

Ambroxide Cryst. – Symrise

Ambroxide Cryst. is Symrise’s Ambroxan – the same CAS number 6790-58-5 as Ambrofix™ (Givaudan), AmberMor® (IFF) and Ambrox® Super (dsm-firmenich). Symrise sells it without a fantasy name, under its chemical designation: off-white to white crystals, at least 99% purity, 100% renewable carbon.

Odor Profile

• Official descriptors: “Ambery, Amber, Wood” – ambery with a woody tonality
• According to Symrise, a clean, substantive amber note
• Positioned by the manufacturer as a “lead substance for ambery creations”
• Base note and fixative with pronounced tenacity on skin and fabric
• Off-white to white crystals

Role in the Formula

Ambroxide carries the amber character of a formula from the drydown into the long-wear phase. Symrise recommends 0.1–2%: at low levels it adds warmth and depth in the background; dosed higher, it becomes the amber theme itself.

Chemically it does not differ from Ambrofix™, AmberMor® and Ambrox® Super – what separates the products is the production route, not the molecule. All versions side by side: Ambroxan: all versions compared.

Use in Perfumery

• Fine fragrance: 0.1–2% in the concentrate
• Tested by Symrise in eau de toilette (4.0%), soap (1.2%) and deodorant (1.0%), among others
• Stable even in chlorine-containing media – useful for functional applications
• Classic role: amber base, replacement for animal ambergris, backbone of woody-amber fragrances

Practical Notes: Dissolving, Storage, Pairing

Dissolving: Practically insoluble in water, readily soluble in ethanol. For formula work, prepare a 10–20% pre-dilution in ethanol or DPG – it lets you weigh the low use range accurately.

Storage: Cool, dry, protected from light and tightly closed.

Pairing: Woody materials are the natural partners – as the official descriptors “Amber” and “Wood” already suggest.

From Holzminden

The route is classic: sclareol from clary sage → sclareolide → ambradiol → ambroxide. All the carbon comes from the plant, hence the renewable factor of 100%. In 2018 Symrise patented a one-step process that oxidises sclareol directly to sclareolide with ozone. The manufacturer is Symrise AG in Holzminden, formed in 2003 from Haarmann & Reimer and Dragoco. More in our encyclopedia: Ambroxide Cryst. – Ambroxan from Holzminden.

Safety Information

According to the ECHA C&L Inventory, CAS 6790-58-5 is not classified as hazardous – no pictogram, no signal word, no H-statements. No IFRA Standard exists. At 71%, the material counts as readily biodegradable.

Physico-Chemical Properties

FAQ

Is Ambroxide Cryst. Ambroxan?
Yes. “Ambroxan” is the common name for the molecule with CAS number 6790-58-5. Givaudan calls it Ambrofix™, IFF AmberMor®, Symrise simply Ambroxide Cryst.

Why does it have no brand name?
Symrise sells off-patent molecules under their chemical names; brand names are reserved for its own developments such as Ambrocenide®.

How do I dose Ambroxide Cryst.?
0.1–2% in the concentrate, best from a pre-dilution in ethanol or DPG.

Does ambroxide occur in nature?
Yes – in grey ambergris it forms through oxidation of the triterpene ambrein. Industrially it is made from sclareol of clary sage.

Are there IFRA restrictions or hazard warnings?
No. There is no IFRA Standard, and according to the ECHA C&L Inventory the substance is not classified as hazardous.

Hazard Information (CLP Labelling)

Important Notice

This product is a perfumery raw material intended exclusively for fragrance development, creative experimentation, education and the study of perfumery materials.

It is not a finished cosmetic product.

Please use responsibly.

Comparison of all Ambroxan versions →