मस्क कीटोन (Musk ketone)
Musk ketone (C14H18N2O5) is a synthetic nitro musk, a pale yellow crystalline aroma chemical with a sweet, warm, powdery musk odour. It is used as a long-lasting base note and fixative in perfumes, attars, incense and soaps. Its use in cosmetics is restricted in some markets, so check current rules.
अंतिम अपडेट 7 नव॰ 2026
विवरण
- फ़ॉर्मूला
- C14H18N2O5
- CAS नंबर
- 81-14-1
- ग्रेड
- Technical
- हिंदी नाम
- मस्क कीटोन
प्रोडक्ट और पैक साइज़
| प्रोडक्ट | ग्रेड | पैक | दाम (GST सहित) | ₹ प्रति kg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Musk Ketone | Technical | — | ₹399 | — |
What is musk ketone?
Musk ketone is one of the nitro musks, an older family of synthetic musks first made in the late 1800s. It has no connection with animal musk; it is fully synthetic. It gives a sweet, powdery, warm musk note that lasts a long time.
- Formula: C14H18N2O5
- CAS number: 81-14-1
- Molar mass: 294.30 g/mol
- Melting point: about 135 to 137 °C
- Appearance: pale yellow crystals or crystalline powder, insoluble in water
Grades and pack sizes at Azlok
Azlok lists musk ketone under aromatic raw materials, for perfumery, attar, incense and soap fragrance work. The listing doesn't state a pack size; check the product page. See today's price per kg.
Common uses
- Base note and fixative in perfumes and attar-style oil blends
- Incense sticks, dhoop and agarbatti masala fragrance
- Soaps, detergents and room fragrances, where a warm musk background is wanted
Many modern perfumes use newer musks instead, but musk ketone remains in use where it is permitted.
It works well with rose, sandalwood, amber and vanilla notes, smoothing the dry-down and making a blend feel rounder. Perfumers often use it alongside other musks rather than on its own, so the base note has more depth.
How to use it
Dissolving. Musk ketone is a solid and needs a solvent. Perfumers commonly dissolve it in benzyl benzoate or diethyl phthalate (DEP), warming gently in a water bath (not over a flame) until clear. A 10% solution is a convenient strength for blending. Let it cool and check that no crystals come back; if they do, warm again or dilute further.
Blending. Add the solution to the base of your formula in small steps. Smell the blend on a strip over several hours, since musk shows its effect slowly and helps hold top notes.
Limits. In the EU, musk ketone is listed in Annex III of the cosmetics regulation with concentration limits by product type. IFRA standards also apply. Check the current IFRA standards and the rules for each market you sell into before using it in skin products.
Safety and storage
- Avoid breathing dust and avoid skin and eye contact. Wear gloves, safety glasses and a dust mask when weighing.
- Nitro musks are persistent in the environment and toxic to aquatic life. Don't wash leftovers down drains; dispose of them as chemical waste through a proper channel.
- Keep it away from heat, flames and strong reducing agents.
- Store tightly closed in a cool, dark, dry place.
- Patch test any finished skin product.
- Keep away from children.
Choosing the right grade and pack
For perfume and attar trials, a small pack is enough, as musk ketone is used at low percentages. If your products are exported or sold as cosmetics, check whether musk ketone is allowed and at what level before scaling up.
Incense and fragrance compounders needing 25 kg or more can send a bulk inquiry.
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
- What does musk ketone smell like?
- Musk ketone has a sweet, warm, powdery musk smell, softer and cleaner than animal musk, with a slightly animalic undertone. It is mild at first but very long-lasting, which is why it is used as a base note and fixative.
- Is musk ketone natural musk?
- No. Musk ketone is a fully synthetic nitro musk with no animal origin. Natural deer musk is a different material and its trade is heavily restricted. Musk ketone was one of the first synthetic musks used to replace it.
- How do I dissolve musk ketone crystals?
- Warm them gently in benzyl benzoate or DEP in a water bath until clear, for example as a 10% solution. Don't heat over a direct flame. If crystals return when cool, warm again or dilute further.
- Is musk ketone banned?
- It is not banned everywhere, but it is restricted. In the EU it appears in Annex III of the cosmetics regulation with limits by product type, and IFRA standards also apply. Check current rules for each market before using it in cosmetics.
- Can I use musk ketone in agarbatti and attar?
- Yes, it has long been used in incense and attar-style blends as a fixative. Dissolve it fully, keep the dose low, and check whether rules in your target market restrict it in skin-applied products.
- How should I store musk ketone?
- Keep it in a tightly closed container in a cool, dark, dry place, away from heat and flames. Label it clearly, keep it out of reach of children, and dispose of waste as chemical waste rather than down the drain.