Habanolide® (dsm-firmenich) | Macrocyclic Musk

Habanolide® – dsm-firmenich

Habanolide® (product code 947303, CAS 111879-80-2) is a macrocyclic musk lactone developed in Firmenich's research laboratories in the late 1980s (patent application 1989, EP 0 424 787; trademark 1992) – a cornerstone material of the "House of Musk". Chemically it is (12E)-oxacyclohexadec-12-en-2-one: Exaltolide® is a saturated 16-membered lactone, while Habanolide carries a double bond in the same 16-membered ring. According to the manufacturer, it combines the strength and tenacity of aromatic musks with the elegance of macrocyclic compounds. Since January 2024, Habanolide has also been produced at the first European production unit in Castets, in south-west France, alongside the existing line in New Jersey.

Odor Profile

• "An extremely elegant and substantive musk note" (official manufacturer description)
• "Typical of macrocyclic musks with a warm and slightly woody undertone"
• Official descriptors: Musky, Powdery, Earthy
• Note position: heart and base note
• Blotter longevity: approx. 2 weeks (tenacity rating 10 on the manufacturer's scale)
• Colorless to pale yellow liquid (independent regulatory assessment, NICNAS/AICIS)

Role in the Formula

"Habanolide® is a very powerful musk. It combines the strength and tenacity of aromatic musk notes with the pleasantness and elegance of macrocyclic musk compounds. Excellent in all applications." (Manufacturer statement, translated.) In the base, it carries a composition for weeks without feeling heavy – the powdery-earthy, slightly woody character stays clean and modern.

In the shop, Habanolide sits alongside the macrocyclic musks Velvione® and Silvanone® Supra. According to a manufacturer press release, it pairs especially well with the renewable musk molecules Helvetolide® and Romandolide® – Helvetolide® is available in the shop. For a polycyclic classic to compare it against, Galaxolide is also in the range.

Use in Perfumery

• Fine fragrance: avg. 3.5%, up to max. 13.4% (manufacturer figures) – Habanolide tolerates high dosages
• Shampoo: avg. 3.2%, up to 10% · Shower gel and soap: avg. 2.4%, up to approx. 10.1% (both with high substantivity ratings)
• Laundry detergent: avg. 3.4%, up to 13.1% · Fabric softener: avg. 4.7%, up to 13.9%
• All-purpose cleaner: avg. 1.6%, up to 6.3% · Candles: avg. 1.8%, up to 6.8%

Practical Notes: Dissolving, Storing, Combining

Dissolving: Liquid and ready to use directly; for precise weighing of small quantities, a 10% dilution in ethanol or DPG is recommended. Water solubility is very low (independently measured: 0.964 mg/L).

Storing: Store cool, dry, protected from light and tightly sealed. The pour point is below −20 °C – the material stays liquid at room temperature.

Combining: Confirmed partners are Helvetolide® and Romandolide® ("pairs well", manufacturer press release). As a base musk, it can also be built into a layered musk accord together with the macrocyclic relatives in the shop.

The House of Musk

"Since a Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1939, dsm-firmenich has been dedicated to musk for over 90 years" – the manufacturer is known as the "House of Musk". Its macrocyclic musk compounds fall into two groups: those found in nature and isolated in the 1920s/30s (Exaltolide®, muscone, civetone), and the synthetic ones developed in Firmenich's research laboratories from the late 1980s onward (Habanolide, Exaltenone®, Muscenone® Delta). Habanolide belongs to the second group – developed in the late 1980s, with the patent application filed in 1989. The trademark Habanolide® was registered on March 5, 1992 (Firmenich SA, No. 584055). Patent: EP 0 424 787 (Firmenich, priority 1989, expired 2010) – use of trans-pentadecenolides, including Habanolide. In January 2024, the first European Habanolide production unit began operating in Castets (south-west France).

Relationship to Globalide® (Symrise)

Anyone exploring macrocyclic musks may come across the question of how Habanolide® (dsm-firmenich) and Globalide® (Symrise) relate to each other. Habanolide® is the (12E)-isomer (CAS 111879-80-2); it shares its REACH registration with Globalide® (EC No. 422-320-3). Globalide® itself is an isomer mixture of oxacyclohexadecen-2-one (CAS 34902-57-3) – same molecular formula C15H26O2, but not an identical substance.

Safety Information

According to the manufacturer's data (dsm-firmenich), Habanolide is classified with the GHS09 pictogram (environment) and the signal word "Warning": H400 (very toxic to aquatic life) and H410 (very toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects) – classified "Aquatic Acute 1" and "Aquatic Chronic 1". The manufacturer additionally notes EUH208 (contains omega-pentadecalactone, may produce an allergic reaction). For human health, the independent Australian regulatory assessment (AICIS/NICNAS, Full Public Report SN/10, 2002) found no concerns: not a skin sensitizer (guinea pig test and 104 human volunteers), oral and dermal LD50 both >2000 mg/kg.

Ecotoxicologically, the same report provides concrete measured values: acute toxicity to rainbow trout LC50 = 2.4 mg/L (96 h), to Daphnia magna LC50 = 0.88 mg/L (48 h), algal growth inhibition (Scenedesmus subspicatus) EbC50 = 2.4 mg/L (72 h); no adverse effects were observed in earthworms or land plants up to 1000 mg/kg (NOEC). Bioaccumulation potential was not measured directly but estimated computationally (QSAR) at log BCF ≈ 4.6. The material is readily biodegradable (92% in 28 days, OECD 301C) and shows inherent biodegradability of 99% (OECD 302A) – despite the strict aquatic classification, it breaks down relatively quickly in the environment. Classification according to the manufacturer's data; the label on the container is authoritative. No IFRA standard exists for Habanolide (confirmed via the IFRA musk overview and the ScenTree database, as of the 51st IFRA Amendment).

Physico-Chemical Properties

FAQ

What is Habanolide?
A macrocyclic musk lactone from dsm-firmenich (CAS 111879-80-2), developed in Firmenich's research laboratories in the late 1980s (patent EP 0 424 787, filed 1989; trademark 1992). It delivers an elegant, powdery-earthy musk note with a warm, slightly woody undertone and about two weeks of blotter longevity.

Is Habanolide the same as Symrise's Globalide®?
Not identical, but closely related: Habanolide® is the (12E)-isomer (CAS 111879-80-2); it shares its REACH registration with Globalide® (EC No. 422-320-3). Globalide® (CAS 34902-57-3) is an isomer mixture.

How does Habanolide differ from other musk notes in the shop?
According to the manufacturer, Habanolide combines "the strength of aromatic musk notes with the elegance of macrocyclics". Macrocyclic relatives in the shop include Velvione® and Silvanone® Supra; Helvetolide® is a modern alicyclic partner that, per the manufacturer, harmonizes especially well with Habanolide.

How much Habanolide should I dose?
The manufacturer states an average of 3.5% and a maximum of 13.4% for fine fragrance – Habanolide is one of the musk notes that stays clean even at high dosage.

Is Habanolide dangerous?
For humans, the independent regulatory assessment showed no sensitization and low acute toxicity (LD50 >2000 mg/kg). It is classified as very toxic to aquatic life (H400/H410) – so never pour residues down the drain. At the same time, it is readily biodegradable (92% in 28 days).

Is there an IFRA limit?
No, there is no dedicated IFRA standard for Habanolide.

Hazard Statements (CLP Labeling)

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.