This section provides an overview of Iso E Super (Orbitone, Iso Myrcetone, Isocyclemone-E or OTNE), covering its manufacturing processes and regulatory status, applications in fine fragrance, cosmetics, personal care, and functional product perfumery industries. Also, please check out the introduction to Iso E Super manufacturers, supply chain issues, Iso E Super suppliers, and Iso E Super prices. Sinofi can help you buy Iso E Super at bulk wholesale prices based on CAS 54464-57-2, 68155-66-8, and 68155-67-9.
Table of Contents
What is Iso E Super (Orbitone)?
Iso E Super, also named Orbitone, Iso Myrcetone, Isocyclemone-E, or OTNE, is one of the most influential synthetic aroma chemicals in contemporary perfumery. It is a woody-amber ketone valued for its smooth, transparent radiance, its exceptional formulation versatility, and its capacity to lend body, diffusion, and longevity to a wide range of compositions. Iso E Super was developed by International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) and patented in 1973 by the chemists John B. Hall and James M. Sanders. It is a fragrance material rather than a flavouring substance. Iso E Super and Sandenol are the primary ingredients used to create woody notes. It is not employed in food or beverage flavour systems and its domain is fine fragrance, cosmetics, personal care, and functional product perfumery. Iso E Super (Isocyclemone-E) is not a single discrete molecule but an isomeric mixture, and it is registered under several related CAS numbers reflecting its composition. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Iso E Super is considered a safe cosmetic raw material for fragrance use when used in accordance with industry standards.
Regulatory Status and Safety Considerations
Iso E Super has been evaluated by major regulatory bodies such as NICNAS, SCCS, RIFM, ECHACHEM, IFRA, and Food and Chemical Toxicology. Formulators should follow the current IFRA Standard for OTNE, which establishes restricted maximum use levels by product category; the material was addressed within the 51st Amendment to the IFRA Standards. Within the European Union, the substance is identified as a labellable fragrance allergen under Regulation (EU) 2023/1545. Its presence must therefore be declared on product labeling when it exceeds 0.001 percent in leave-on products and 0.01 percent in rinse-off products.
Olfactory Profile
Iso E Super presents a velvety, woody-amber accord with subtle cedar nuances and a faintly floral undertone. It is frequently described as possessing a “skin-like” warmth, producing an effect that feels intimate and diffusive rather than sharp or assertive. Notably, sensitivity to the molecule varies considerably between individuals; some perceive it readily, while others detect it only faintly, a phenomenon that contributes to its reputation as a uniquely personal ingredient.
The Isomeric Nature and the Role of Arborone
A defining characteristic of Iso E Super is the disparity between its bulk composition and its odour-active fraction. The commercial product comprises more than twenty isomeric ketones. The dominant isomer, frequently designated as the beta isomer, constitutes the majority of the mixture yet is very nearly odourless. The characteristic scent is instead driven by a minor constituent, the gamma isomer, commonly known by the name Arborone, which typically represents only a few percent of the mixture.
The olfactory potency of Arborone is extraordinary. Its detection threshold is several orders of magnitude lower than that of the dominant isomer. This single fact explains much of the material’s distinctive perceptual behaviour, including its tendency to fade in and out of conscious awareness as the relevant olfactory receptors rapidly saturate, and the well-documented partial anosmia in which a meaningful portion of the population perceives the material only faintly.
CAS No.: 54464-57-2
According to the American Chemical Society, the CAS numbers of Iso E Super are 54464-57-2, 68155-66-8, or 68155-67-9.
CAS Name: Iso E Super
Molecular Formula: C16H26O
Molecular Mass: 234.38
Appearance: Colorless to light yellow, clear liquid.
Boiling Point: 312.16 °C. @ 760.00 mm Hg (est)
| Parameter | Value |
| Common / trade name | Iso E Super, Orbitone |
| Primary CAS number | 54464-57-2 |
| Related CAS numbers (isomer mixture) | 68155-66-8; 68155-67-9 |
| EINECS number | 259-174-3, 268-978-3, 268-979-9 |
| INCI name | Tetramethyl acetyloctahydronaphthalenes |
| Generic abbreviation | OTNE |
| IUPAC name | 1-(1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydro-2,3,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl)ethan-1-one |
Other Names:
♦ Iso-E Super
♦ Isocyclemone E
♦ Ambralux
♦ Orbitone
♦ OTNE
♦ Amberonne
♦ Iso Ambois Super
♦ Isocyclemone
♦ Ambrotone
♦ 2-Acetyl-2,3,8,8-tetramethyloctalin
♦ 7-Acetyl-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydro-1,1,6,7-tetramethylnaphthalene
♦ 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-Octahydro-2,3,8,8-tetramethyl-2-acetonaphthone
♦ 1-(1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-Octahydro-2,3,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthyl)ethan-1-one
♦ 1-(1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-Octahydro-2,3,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl)ethan-1-one
♦ 1-(2,3,8,8-Tetramethyl-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydronaphthalen-2-yl)ethanone
Iso E Super Odor
Odor Strength: Medium.
Substantivity: 172 hours at 100.00 %.
Odor Description: At 100.00 %, woody, ambergris, floral, violet.
Bulk Iso E Super Manufacturers
Iso E Super appears in roughly 40 percent of modern fine fragrances, and global production is generally placed at approximately 3,000 metric tons per year. Top Iso E Super manufacturers like IFF, Givaudan, Symrise, Firmenich, Takasago, and BASF typically produce to consistent, well-documented specifications and serve high-volume industrial and fine-fragrance accounts. IFF remains the trademark holder and a principal producer, with output frequently characterized by a high content of the desirable gamma isomer (Arborone). China and India host a substantial and growing base of iso myrcetone producers serving both domestic and export markets. Chinese Iso E Super manufacturers similarly offer large-volume supply through domestic chemical marketplaces. For cost-sensitive functional applications, such as detergents, soaps, and air care, these regional sources are frequently the most economical option.
Sinofi is a bulk Iso E Super manufacturer in China, and we have a manufacturing facility with 2,500 square meters for the production of Orbitone. We supply high-quality Iso E Super at bulk prices and serve fine fragrance, cosmetics, personal care, and functional product perfumery industries worldwide.
Manufacturing Process of Iso E Super (Orbitone)
The manufacture of Iso E Super exemplifies how a short, conceptually clean synthetic sequence can conceal considerable practical subtlety. From three commodity feedstocks, an aldol condensation furnishes the dienophile, a Lewis-acid-promoted Diels-Alder reaction builds the first ring, and a Brønsted-acid-catalyzed cation-olefin cyclization closes the bicyclic skeleton.
Feedstocks and Raw Materials
The synthesis relies on three readily available bulk chemicals:
- Myrcene, an acyclic monoterpene that serves as the diene. Industrially, myrcene is obtained predominantly by the pyrolysis of beta-pinene, itself a major constituent of turpentine and a by-product of the wood and paper industries.
- Acetaldehyde and 2-butanone (methyl ethyl ketone, MEK), which are condensed to furnish the dienophile.
The use of myrcene links Iso E Super to a partially bio-based terpene feedstock, although the overall process is conventionally regarded as a synthetic, petrochemical-adjacent route, and producers vary in the provenance of their raw materials.
Synthetic Route
The manufacture proceeds in three conceptually distinct stages: preparation of the dienophile, Diels-Alder cycloaddition, and acid-catalyzed cyclization of the resulting adduct.
Bulk Iso E Super Suppliers
The bulk supply for Iso E Super is mature, competitive, and well-supplied, with options ranging from major iso myrcetone manufacturers to flexible distributors. Top Iso E Super suppliers like IFF, Givaudan, Symrise, Firmenich, Takasago, and BASF offer the highest assurance of consistency, documentation, and regulatory support. They are the natural choice for fine fragrance houses and multinational consumer goods companies. China and India host a large concentration of Iso E Super suppliers for the global market.
Sinofi is a bulk Iso E Super supplier in China, and we have a 1,200-square-meter warehouse for high-quality Orbitone. We sell different grades of Iso E Super at wholesale prices, serving end-users in fine fragrance, cosmetics, personal care, and functional product perfumery industries.
Supply Chain of Iso E Super (Orbitone)
The supply chain of Iso E Super is unusual in that its principal building block originates not from petrochemistry alone but from pine-derived terpenes, linking the fragrance industry to the global forestry and pulp-and-paper sectors.
Supply Chain Structure
The Iso E Super value chain can be understood as the convergence of two upstream feedstock streams—one renewable and terpene-based, the other derived from short-chain petrochemical intermediates—which are combined and cyclized to form the finished aroma chemical. The critical structural feature of this chain is the dependence of the terpene leg on turpentine, which is itself a by-product of forestry and paper manufacture. Turpentine supply is therefore relatively inelastic: its availability is governed primarily by demand for timber and paper pulp rather than by demand from the fragrance sector. This decoupling between feedstock supply and aroma-chemical demand is the single most important determinant of price volatility along the chain.
Producer Landscape
The supply side is moderately consolidated. A small group of Western majors accounts for the substantial majority of premium-grade output, while a growing cohort of Chinese producers competes principally on cost and on specialty grades.
Demand-side Structure and Applications
Demand for Iso E Super is broad-based across the fragrance product spectrum, contributing to the relative stability of its consumption. The fine-fragrance sector is the largest single end use, commonly estimated at around 60 percent of consumption, where the material functions as a volume builder, fixative, and “floralizing” agent. Beyond fine fragrance, it is used extensively in personal care, home care, and fabric care, including detergents and soaps, where its hydrophobicity, stability, and substantivity on fabrics make it well-suited to wash-off and functional applications.
Wholesale and Buy Iso E Super (Orbitone) in Bulk
Purchasing Iso E Super in bulk offers several measurable advantages. Unit costs typically decline as order volumes increase, freight and handling charges are distributed across larger quantities, and consistent batch sourcing reduces the variability that can complicate large production runs. Bulk procurement also supports supply continuity, which is particularly valuable for ingredients that may experience periodic shortages due to raw material availability. For organizations with predictable consumption, negotiating volume agreements or scheduled deliveries can further stabilize both cost and supply.
Selecting a Reliable Supplier
Supplier selection is the most consequential decision in the procurement process. Buyers may source the material from the originating manufacturer, from established aroma-chemical producers, or from reputable distributors. When evaluating potential partners, purchasing managers should assess manufacturing capacity, batch consistency, quality management certifications, financial stability, and the supplier’s track record of serving the fragrance industry. Requesting representative samples for evaluation by the formulation team before committing to a large order is strongly advisable. It is equally prudent to qualify multiple suppliers to mitigate the risk of supply disruption.
Quality Assurance and Documentation
Consistent quality is essential, and the appropriate documentation should accompany every shipment. Buyers should request the following at a minimum:
- A Certificate of Analysis confirming purity, colour, and key physical parameters for the specific batch.
- A Safety Data Sheet prepared in accordance with the relevant jurisdiction.
- An IFRA conformity certificate and allergen declaration to support regulatory compliance.
- Gas chromatography data where isomer composition is critical to the application.
Factors Influencing Price
Several variables shape the wholesale price of Iso E Super. These include order volume, the selected grade and purity, prevailing raw material and energy costs, currency exchange movements, and freight and import duties. Because these factors fluctuate, buyers of Iso E Super are encouraged to obtain current quotations from multiple qualified suppliers and to consider the total landed cost rather than the unit price alone. Where consumption is stable, longer-term agreements can provide useful protection against market volatility.
As a bulk Iso E Super manufacturer and supplier in China, we wholesale this ingredient to end users in fine fragrance, cosmetics, personal care, and functional product perfumery industries. We also supply iso myrcetone to small customers. Normally, they want to buy Iso E Super in small quantities. To serve them, we can sell Orbitone at bulk prices and provide a one-stop purchasing service.
Iso E Super Prices (USD/Kg)
Fragrance Grade Iso E Super Prices (GC Content of total isomers>=90.0%)
| Volume | Unit Price | Shipment |
| 50g | 6 USD | Express |
| 500g | 31 USD | Express |
| 1Kg | 45 USD/Kg | Express |
| 25Kg | 33 USD/Kg | Express |
| 100Kg | 30 USD/Kg | Express / Sea |
| 200Kg-Above | negotiable | Express / Sea |
Iso E Super sells in the range of approximately USD 20–50/kg depending on purity, origin, and order size, with Chinese material at the low end (roughly USD 20–35/kg) and US-warehoused or premium cosmetic-grade material at USD 35–60/kg or more. Small-quantity retail through perfumery houses runs an order of magnitude higher — around USD 120-135/kg for 1 kg of IFF-grade material.
Furthermore, the above price quotations of Iso E Super do not include the express fee. The reason is that the shipment cost may exceed the sample value of Orbitone. However, the bulk wholesale prices of Iso E Super will be much lower than those of small orders. Please contact us for more details.
Iso E Super Specification
| Appearance | Colorless to light yellow clear liquid. |
| Odor: | Woody, ambergris, floral, violet. |
| Purity (GC, %) | Total Isomers >= 90 |
| α-Isomer (GC, %) | 10.0 – 20.0 |
| β-Isomer (GC, %) | 50.0 – 65.0 |
| γ-Isomer (GC, %) | 8.0 – 15.0 |
| Chromatic value L | 90 – 100 |
| Chromatic value a | -5.5 – 0.0 |
| Chromatic value b | 0 – 9.5 |
| Refractive Index (20°C) | 1.497 – 1.502 |
| Specific Gravity (at 25℃/25℃) | 0.960 – 0.966 |
| Acid value (mgKOH/g) | <= 1.0 |
Iso E Super Uses
Iso E Super is one of the most widely employed synthetic aroma chemicals in contemporary fragrance creation. Its distinctive character—soft, woody, ambergris-like, and remarkably smooth—has made it indispensable across both fine fragrance and functional product applications.
As a Woody and Amber Base Note
The most common application of Iso E Super is as a woody-amber base note. Perfumers incorporate it to lend depth, warmth, and a refined cedar character to a composition. Because it integrates seamlessly with sandalwood, vetiver, patchouli, and other woody materials, it is routinely used to reinforce and modernize the woody segment of a fragrance.
As a Smoothing and Blending Agent
Iso E Super is highly valued for its capacity to harmonize disparate elements within a formula. It softens rough edges, rounds out compositions, and lends an overall sense of cohesion and elegance. In this respect, it functions much like a connective tissue, allowing individual notes to blend into a unified whole rather than competing with one another.
As a Volumizer and Diffusion Enhancer
One of the molecule’s most prized characteristics is its ability to amplify the perceived radiance and projection of a fragrance. Perfumers often refer to this as a “halo” or “magnifying” effect: Iso E Super appears to lift surrounding notes and extend their presence on the skin, granting the composition greater volume and an enveloping quality without introducing an overtly identifiable scent of its own.
As a Fixative
Owing to its substantivity and relatively low volatility, Iso E Super serves effectively as a fixative. It helps anchor more volatile top and heart notes, thereby prolonging the longevity of a fragrance and improving its overall tenacity on the skin or on fabric.
As a Standalone or Near-Solo Fragrance
Iso E Super gained considerable public recognition through fragrances built almost entirely around the molecule itself. The most celebrated example is Molecule 01 by Escentric Molecules, created by perfumer Geza Schoen, which showcases the material in near-isolation. Such compositions demonstrate the molecule’s appeal as a minimalist, modern scent that interacts intimately with the wearer’s own skin chemistry.
In Functional and Household Products
Beyond fine fragrance, Iso E Super is extensively used in functional applications, including soaps, shampoos, detergents, fabric softeners, air fresheners, and personal care products. Its stability, pleasant woody character, and good performance across a variety of bases make it well-suited to these demanding formats, where it imparts a clean, warm, and sophisticated impression.
Iso E Super Benefits
Iso E Super offers a combination of well-established and prospective benefits. Its most dependable advantage lies in its pleasant aroma and its value as a versatile, natural ingredient across fragrance, flavouring, and cosmetic applications.
Benefits of Iso E Super in Modern Perfumery
Iso E Super is one of the most widely used aroma chemicals in contemporary fragrance design. It has become a cornerstone ingredient in countless commercial and niche compositions. Its enduring popularity is the result of a rare combination of olfactory subtlety and technical versatility.
A Distinctive and Refined Odour Profile
Iso E Super is characterized by a smooth, velvety woody scent with warm, ambergris-like and cedar-like nuances. Unlike many woody materials, it possesses a transparent and spacious quality that perfumers often describe as “diffusive” rather than dense.
Exceptional Smoothing and Blending Properties
One of the most valued characteristics of Iso E Super is its capacity to harmonize disparate notes. When incorporated into a formula, it softens sharp edges and rounds out transitions between accords, lending the finished fragrance a cohesive and polished character. For this reason, it is frequently used as a blending agent to unify the overall structure of a scent.
Enhanced Longevity and Fixative Performance
Iso E Super functions effectively as a fixative, slowing the evaporation of more volatile components and thereby extending the longevity of a fragrance on the skin. Its presence helps sustain the base and middle notes, contributing to a scent that lingers for many hours.
Soft Projection and an Intimate “Skin Scent” Quality
The molecule is renowned for producing a gentle, radiant diffusion that remains close to the skin. Rather than projecting aggressively, it creates a soft aura that many describe as warm and inviting. This quality makes Iso E Super especially suitable for compositions intended to feel personal and understated.
Remarkable Versatility Across Fragrance Families
Iso E Super integrates seamlessly into a broad spectrum of fragrance families, including woody, oriental, floral, and fresh compositions. Its neutral yet supportive character allows it to complement an extensive range of accords without imposing a defining direction of its own. This adaptability has made it a default choice for perfumers seeking a dependable foundation that performs reliably across diverse stylistic contexts.
A Signature Ingredient in Its Own Right
The standing of Iso E Super is perhaps best illustrated by its use as a fragrance in its own right. Certain niche creations are built almost entirely around the molecule, presenting it in a near-undiluted form and celebrating its smooth, woody radiance as the central feature.
Stability and Practical Advantages
Beyond its olfactory merits, Iso E Super offers practical benefits to formulators. It is chemically stable, performs consistently across a variety of bases, and is cost-effective relative to many natural woody materials. When used within the guidelines established by the International Fragrance Association, it is regarded as a well-tolerated and dependable ingredient. These attributes make it as attractive from a manufacturing perspective as it is from a creative one.
A Mood-regulating Concentrated Aromatherapy Liquid Using Iso E Super
Include the following ingredients:
Fruity note fragrance ingredients 2.055 kg, green note fragrance ingredients 0.34 kg, floral note fragrance ingredients 42.802 kg, citrus note fragrance ingredients 5.98 kg, spicy note fragrance ingredients 0.245 kg, fixatives 27.22 kg, floral-fruity composition 1.25 kg, solvent 20.108 kg.
- Fruity note fragrance ingredients include ethyl acetate 0.03 kg, ethyl 2-methylpentanoate 0.014 kg, fructone 0.74 kg, methyl pamplemousse 0.9 kg, gamma-decalactone 0.11 kg, gamma-undecalactone 0.011 kg, cis-3-hexenol 0.22 kg, cis-3-hexenyl acetate 0.03 kg;
- Green note fragrance ingredients include Egyptian geranium oil 0.2 kg, alpha-terpineol 0.13 kg, marjoram oil 0.01 kg; the solvent is DPG;
- Floral note fragrance ingredients include rose-base floral fragrance ingredients 28.419 kg, rose-honey-sweet-green fragrance ingredients 0.275 kg, white flower/lily-of-the-valley fragrance ingredients 14.108 kg;
- Rose-base floral fragrance ingredients include linalool 5.3 kg, rose oxide 0.04 kg, phenylethyl alcohol 2.1 kg, benzyl acetate 0.3 kg, styralyl acetate 11.5 kg, octyl acetate 0.012 kg, decyl acetate 0.03 kg, citronellol 0.8 kg, nerol 0.28 kg, linalyl acetate 7.12 kg, geraniol 0.65 kg, phenylethyl acetate 0.12 kg, styralyl alcohol 0.15 kg, Veloutone 0.017 kg;
- Rose-honey-sweet-green fragrance ingredients include dihydroeugenol 0.03 kg, neryl acetate 0.025 kg, geranyl acetate 0 0.08 kg, delta-damascone 0.05 kg, alpha-damascone 0.023 kg, damascenone 0.05 kg, diphenyl ether 0.017 kg;
- White floral/lily-of-the-valley fragrance ingredients include Florhydral 0.038 kg, hydroxycitronellal 1 kg, Florol 1.6 kg, Lilybreeze 0.11 kg, Lilyflore 0.05 kg, Nympheal 0.21 kg, Adoxal 0.03 kg, Majantol 0.2 kg, Silvial 0.2 kg, Hivernal Neo 0.02 kg, Helional 0.7 kg, MDI 8.75 kg, beta-ionone 1.2 kg;
- Citrus fragrance ingredients include 20x sweet orange oil 0.03 kg, 10x sweet orange oil 0.03 kg, lemon oil 0.6 kg, sweet orange oil 1.1 kg, grapefruit oil terpenes 3.2 kg, lemon oil terpenes 0.7 kg, red mandarin oil 0.2 kg, citral 0.12 kg;
- Spicy notes include cumin alcohol 0.05 kg, frankincense oil 0.07 kg, cardamom oil 0.02 kg, perillaldehyde 0.005 kg, elemi oil 0.06 kg, pink pepper oil 0.02 kg, black pepper oil 0.02 kg; fixatives include Iso E Super 4.5 kg, Galaxolide 11.5 kg, Musk T 8.5 kg, cyclohexadecanolide 0.06 kg, cyclopentadecanolide 0.5 kg, ambrettolide 0.1 kg, Tonalid 1 kg, Ambrocenide 0.06 kg, benzyl benzoate 1 kg;
- Floral-fruity composition includes cyclic ether 20 kg, passion fruit sulfide 4 kg, thiomenthone 0.32 kg, grapefruit mercaptan 5.6 kg, Roman chamomile oil 0 0.8 kg violet leaf absolute, 0.4 kg violet leaf absolute, 0.8 kg osmanthus absolute, 0.4 kg wool absolute, 40 kg white grapefruit oil, 1.6 kg Nootkatone 70, 16 kg Israeli pink grapefruit oil, 4.8 kg Grapefruit Nitrile, 4.8 kg Grapefruit Aromacrystal, 0.48 kg DPG;
In conclusion, Iso E Super is one of the most widely specified aroma chemicals in fine fragrance, cosmetics, personal care, and functional product perfumery industries. As a bulk Iso E Super manufacturer and supplier in China, we offer various grades of Orbitone at wholesale prices to clients worldwide.