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Synthetic aroma chemicals

Indole

Also known as 1H-Indole, 2,3-Benzopyrrole, Indol

CAS 120-72-9Formula C8H7NMolar mass 117.15 g/molEC 204-420-7
GHS signal word: Danger. Pictograms: Corrosive, Acute toxicity (severe), Harmful or irritant 165 suppliers listed
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Indole chemical structure, C8H7N, CAS 120-72-9
2D chemical structure

Key facts

What buyers check first

All properties
Appearance
Leaflets (water, petroleum), crystals (ether)
Melting point
52 °C
Boiling point
253 °C
Density
1.22 g/cm³ at 25 °C
Solubility
SOL IN HOT WATER, HOT ALC, ETHER, BENZENE
HS code
293399
Category
Synthetic aroma chemicals
Illustrative photo, closed blue fibre drums on a pallet in a warehouse
Typical packagingIllustrative packaging image, not the actual product

What is Indole?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

1H-indole is an indole and a polycyclic heteroarene. It has a role as an Escherichia coli metabolite. It is a tautomer of a 3H-indole.

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
1H-indole
CAS number
120-72-9 CAS number cross-checkedOther or deprecated CAS: 82451-55-6
EC number
204-420-7
Molecular formula
C8H7N
UNII
8724FJW4M5
MDL number
MFCD00005607
INCI name
INDOLE
InChIKey
SIKJAQJRHWYJAI-UHFFFAOYSA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/C8H7N/c1-2-4-8-7(3-1)5-6-9-8/h1-6,9H
SMILES (canonical and isomeric)
C1=CC=C2C(=C1)C=CN2

Synonyms

  • 1H-Indole
  • 2,3-Benzopyrrole
  • Indol
  • 1-Azaindene
  • 1-Benzazole
  • Ketole
  • Benzopyrrole
  • Indole, 3-Benzopyrrole, 1-benzazole
  • 2,3-Benzopyrole
  • Indole (natural)
  • 1-Benzo(b)pyrrole
  • 1H-Benzo[b]pyrrole
  • Benzo[b]pyrrole
  • IND
  • benzazole
  • mono-indole
  • 1-H-indole
  • Indole, 7
  • Indolum
  • Indole (8CI)
  • Dolasetron Impurity 6
  • 1H-Indole (9CI)
  • Indole, >=99%
  • Indole, analytical standard
  • Indole, >=99%, FG
Show all 27 synonyms
  • Indole benzo-pyrrole
  • Indole 100 |Ig/mL in Acetonitrile

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values and descriptors computed from the structure

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values, check the supplier specification for your grade

Appearance
Leaflets (water, petroleum), crystals (ether)exp.
Odour
ALMOST FLORAL ODOR WHEN HIGHLY PURIFIED, OTHERWISE EXHIBITS CHARACTERISTIC ODOR OF FECESexp.
Melting point
52 °Cexp.
Boiling point
253 °Cexp.
Density
1.22 g/cm³ at 25 °Cexp.
Solubility
SOL IN HOT WATER, HOT ALC, ETHER, BENZENEexp.
Vapour pressure
0.0122 mm Hg at 25 °Cexp.

Values vary by grade. Ask suppliers for the COA or TDS of the batch you buy.

Computed descriptors

Calculated from the structure, useful for screening and formulation

Molecular weight
117.15 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
117.0578 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
2.17calc.
Topological polar surface area
15.79 Ųcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
1calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
0calc.
Rotatable bonds
0calc.
Heavy atoms
9calc.
Rings
2calc.
Aromatic rings
2calc.
Fraction sp3 carbons
0calc.
Formal charge
0calc.
Stereocentres
0calc.
Lipinski rule of five
Passes (0 violations)calc.

Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.

Murcko scaffold

The ring system that remains when every side chain is removed

Murcko scaffold of this chemical, c1ccc2[nH]ccc2c1

c1ccc2[nH]ccc2c1

2 rings, 9 atoms. This chemical is the scaffold itself.

25,097 other chemicals share this scaffold

Safety and hazards

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet

GHS signal word
Danger
GHS05: Corrosive
Corrosive
GHS06: Acute toxicity (severe)
Acute toxicity (severe)
GHS07: Harmful or irritant
Harmful or irritant

Hazard statements

  • H302Harmful if swallowed.
  • H311Toxic in contact with skin.
  • H318Causes serious eye damage.
Precautionary statements (15)
  • P262Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing.
  • P264Wash skin thoroughly after handling.
  • P264 + P265Wash skin thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes.
  • P270Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
  • P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P301 + P317If swallowed: Get medical help.
  • P302 + P352If on skin: Wash with plenty of water.
  • P305 + P354 + P338If in eyes: Immediately rinse with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
  • P316Get emergency medical help immediately.
  • P317Get medical help.
  • P321Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instructions on the label).
  • P330Rinse mouth.
  • P361 + P364Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
  • P405Store locked up.
  • P501Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet (SDS). Classifications can differ by supplier, grade and concentration. Always check the supplier's SDS.

Full safety data and first aid

Indole suppliers

Sponsored listings first, then the documented ranking: membership, verification, replies, completeness, freshness and ratings

All 165 suppliers
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Where suppliers are based

165 suppliers in 15 countries

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Indole price

Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers

No published prices right now

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Uses and applications

What the substance is used for, by industry and function

Used in perfumery.

Synthetic flavor.

Chemical reagent.

Used as a chemical intermediate for the synthesis of indol-3-ylacetic acid, 4-indol-3-ylbutyric acid, L-tryptophan.

Industrial uses: Laboratory chemicals.

Consumer uses: Fragrance.

Cosmetic ingredient, INCI name INDOLE(perfuming)

Roles

  • Escherichia coli metabolite
  • bacterial metabolite
  • metabolite
  • prokaryotic metabolite

Functional uses

  • Flavouring and nutrient
  • Fragrance

Cosmetic functions

  • Perfuming

How it is made

Prepn from o-formotoluide: tyson, org syn coll vol III, 479 (1955), by dehydrocyclizing ortho alkyl anilines: erner et al, us patent 2,953,575 (1960 to houdry process), from n-(2-tolyl)-n'-methyl-n'-phenylformamidine: lorenz et al, j org chem 30, 2531 (1965).

Obtained from 240-260 °c fraction from coal tar: weissgerber, chemische berichte 43, 3520 (1910), from feces: bergeim, j biol chem 32, 17 (1917).

Can be prepared also by redn of indoxyl, indoxyl carboxylic acid, or indigo.

Regulatory status

Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance

Health and food

  • EU cosmetic ingredient inventory

United States

  • TSCA inventory (USA)
    Status: Active in US commerce

HS code and trade data

Customs classification and reported world trade statistics

Global trade

World import and export statistics for the HS code Indole is traded under.

HS 2933.99Indicative HS code

Heterocyclic compounds with nitrogen hetero-atom(s) only, other

World exports in 2024
$12.1B
−31.0% vs 2023, imports $28.8B
2019 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. China30.5%
  2. India * partner reported16.3%
  3. Ireland9.0%
Top importers
  1. Slovenia31.7%
  2. Italy24.2%
  3. United States5.0%

* Partner reported figures, a lower bound.

Reported customs values in USD, not prices.Full trade data

The HS code shown for Indole is indicative (it was assigned by structure rules). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Indole, based on the data on this page

What is Indole?

1H-indole is an indole and a polycyclic heteroarene. It has a role as an Escherichia coli metabolite. It is a tautomer of a 3H-indole.

What is the CAS number of Indole?

The CAS registry number of Indole is 120-72-9. Other or deprecated CAS numbers: 82451-55-6.

What is the molecular formula and weight of Indole?

The molecular formula of Indole is C8H7N and its molar mass is 117.15 g/mol.

What is Indole used for?

Used in perfumery. Synthetic flavor. Chemical reagent. Used as a chemical intermediate for the synthesis of indol-3-ylacetic acid, 4-indol-3-ylbutyric acid, L-tryptophan. Industrial uses: Laboratory chemicals. Consumer uses: Fragrance.

Is Indole hazardous?

Indole carries the GHS signal word "Danger". Main hazards: harmful if swallowed, toxic in contact with skin, causes serious eye damage. This summary is not an SDS, always read the supplier safety data sheet.

What is the HS code of Indole?

Indole is usually classified under HS code 293399 (Heterocyclic compounds with nitrogen hetero-atom(s) only, other). This is indicative, confirm it with your customs broker before shipping.

Where can I buy Indole?

CompoundList lists 165 suppliers of Indole in China, United States, India, Germany and 11 more. Send one free request to get and compare quotes. Your contact details stay private until you accept a quote.

Where can I buy Indole in India?

22 suppliers in India list Indole on CompoundList. Filter the suppliers list by country and send a request to compare prices, grades and delivery times.

What is the price of Indole?

Suppliers quote Indole on request because prices depend on grade, purity, quantity and destination. A free request on CompoundList gets you several quotes to compare.

Guides for buyers

Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle Indole

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Data last updated 7 Oct 2026. Details may have changed, please confirm them with the supplier. Report an error on this page
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