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Synthetic aroma chemicals

Menthol

Also known as 2-Isopropyl-5-methylcyclohexanol, Menthyl alcohol, Mentholum

CAS 1490-04-6Formula C10H20OMolar mass 156.27 g/molEC 201-939-0
GHS signal word: Warning. Pictograms: Harmful or irritant 140 suppliers listed Drug substance
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Menthol chemical structure, C10H20O, CAS 1490-04-6
2D chemical structure

Key facts

What buyers check first

All properties
Appearance
White crystals /89-78-1/
Melting point
-8 °C
Boiling point
214.6 °C
Density
0.9131 at 18 °C
Flash point
91.1 °C
HS code
290611
Category
Synthetic aroma chemicals
Illustrative photo, colourless crystals beside a jumbo bulk bag in a chemical plant
Typical packagingIllustrative packaging image, not the actual product

What is Menthol?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

P-menthan-3-ol is any secondary alcohol that is one of the eight possible diastereoisomers of 5-methyl-2-(propan-2-yl)cyclohexan-1-ol. It has a role as a volatile oil component. It is a p-menthane monoterpenoid and a secondary alcohol.

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
5-methyl-2-propan-2-ylcyclohexan-1-ol
CAS number
1490-04-6 CAS number cross-checkedOther or deprecated CAS: 15356-70-4, 491-01-0, 89-78-1, 98167-53-4
EC numbers
201-939-0, 207-723-2, 216-074-4, 810-475-3
Molecular formula
C10H20O
UNII
L7T10EIP3A
MDL number
MFCD00001484
INCI name
MENTHOL
InChIKey
NOOLISFMXDJSKH-UHFFFAOYSA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/C10H20O/c1-7(2)9-5-4-8(3)6-10(9)11/h7-11H,4-6H2,1-3H3
SMILES (canonical and isomeric)
CC1CCC(C(C1)O)C(C)C

Synonyms

  • 2-Isopropyl-5-methylcyclohexanol
  • Menthyl alcohol
  • Mentholum
  • Mineral ice
  • 5-Methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)cyclohexanol
  • 3-Hydroxy-p-menthane
  • 2-Isopropyl-5-methylcyclohexan-1-ol
  • Therapeutic mineral ice
  • Menthol, unspecified form
  • 1-Methyl-4-isopropyl-3-cyclohexanol
  • Fisherman's friend lozenges
  • Bohenao
  • Menthol (II)
  • Menthol (mart.)
  • Menthol, unspecified
  • Menthol (usp monograph)
  • Levomenthol or racementhol
  • Salonpas component menthol
  • Menthol component of salonpas
  • Levorotatory-menthol or racemic-menthol
  • dl-Menthol
  • p-Menthan-3-ol
  • Cyclohexanol, 5-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)-
  • (+/-)-Menthol
  • 5-methyl-2-propan-2-ylcyclohexan-1-ol
Show all 37 synonyms
  • Neomenthol
  • rac-Menthol
  • D-p-Menthan-3-ol
  • 5-Methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)-cyclohexanol
  • 5-methyl-2-(propan-2-yl)cyclohexan-1-ol
  • Menthol, dl-
  • Racementol
  • (1R,2S,5R)-Menthol
  • 3-p-Menthanol
  • Menthol (USP)
  • L(-)-Menthol
  • (1S, 2S, 5R)-(+)-Neomenthol

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
White crystals /89-78-1/exp.
Odour
Peppermint odor /dl-Menthol/exp.
Taste
Peppermint taste /dl-Menthol/exp.
Melting point
-8 °Cexp.
Boiling point
214.6 °Cexp.
Density
0.9131 at 18 °Cexp.
Flash point
91.1 °Cexp.
Solubility
In water, 420 mg/L at 25 °Cexp.
Vapour pressure
VP: 0.0637 mm Hg at 25 °C /l-Menthol/exp.

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
156.27 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
156.1514 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
2.44calc.
Topological polar surface area
20.23 Ųcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
1calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
1calc.
Rotatable bonds
1calc.
Heavy atoms
11calc.
Rings
1calc.
Aromatic rings
0calc.
Fraction sp3 carbons
1calc.
Formal charge
0calc.
Stereocentres
3calc.
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, C1CCCCC1

C1CCCCC1

1 ring, 6 atoms, the Cyclohexane ring system.

24,737 other chemicals share this scaffold

Safety and hazards

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet

GHS signal word
Warning
GHS07: Harmful or irritant
Harmful or irritant

Hazard statements

  • H315Causes skin irritation.
  • H319Causes serious eye irritation.
Precautionary statements (9)
  • P264Wash skin thoroughly after handling.
  • P264 + P265Wash skin thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes.
  • P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P302 + P352If on skin: Wash with plenty of water.
  • P305 + P351 + P338If in eyes: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
  • P321Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instructions on the label).
  • P332 + P317If skin irritation occurs: Get medical help.
  • P337 + P317If eye irritation persists: Get medical help.
  • P362 + P364Take off contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.

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

Menthol suppliers

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Where suppliers are based

140 suppliers in 20 countries

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Menthol price

Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers

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Uses and applications

What the substance is used for, by industry and function

Flavor in liquers, confectionary, perfumery, cigarettes, cough drops, and nasal inhalers. (L-Menthol).

Because of its cooling and refreshing effect, (-)-menthol is used in large quantities in cigarettes, cosmetics, toothpastes, chewing gum, sweets, and medicines. (L-Menthol).

Menthol, which provides a cooling sensation, is a common constituent of after-shaves.

Industrial uses: Odor agents, Fragrance.

Consumer uses: Fragrance.

Use classes: Cosmetics.

Cosmetic ingredient, INCI name MENTHOL(denaturant, fragrance, refreshing, soothing)

Pharmacological actions

  • Antipruritics

Roles

  • eukaryotic metabolite
  • metabolite
  • plant metabolite
  • volatile oil component

Functional uses

  • Astringent
  • Deodorizer
  • Flavouring and nutrient
  • Fragrance
  • Heat transferring agent
  • Humectant
  • Pharmaceutical

Cosmetic functions

  • Denaturant
  • Fragrance
  • Refreshing
  • Soothing

Pharmacology

Menthol is an organic compound made synthetically or obtained from peppermint or mint oils with flavoring and local anesthetic properties. When added to pharmaceuticals and foods, menthol functions as a fortifier for peppermint flavors. It also has a counterirritant effect on skin and mucous membranes, thereby producing a local analgesic or anesthetic effect.

How it is made

(-)-Menthol from (+-)-Menthol. (+-)-Menthol can be prepared via several routes and subsequently resolved into the optical isomers: a. Racemic menthol can be synthesized by hydrogenation of thymol. This yields a mixture containing the four stereoisomeric menthols in various proportions. (+-)-Menthol is separated from the other isomers by distillation. The remaining isomeric menthols, neomenthol, isomenthol, and a trace of neoisomenthol, can be epimerized, under the conditions used for the thymol hydrogenation, to give ca.

Read more

6:3:1 equilibrium mixture of (+-)-menthol, (+-)-neomenthol, and (+-)-isomenthol, respectively. (+-)-Menthol can, again, be distilled from the equilibrium mixture. b. (+-)-Menthol can be resolved into its optical antipodes by several routes. A large-scale industrial process utilizes selective crystallization of either (+)- or (-)-menthyl benzoate by seeding saturated solutions or supercooled melts of (+-)-menthyl benzoates with crystals of (+)- or (-)-menthyl benzoate. Pure (+)- or (-)-menthol is obtained following hydrolysis of the esters. The undesired (+)-menthol can be reconverted into the racemate. Biochemical resolution methods have also been developed. (L-Menthol)

(-)-Menthol can also be prepared from (-)-piperitone, the main component of Eucalyptus dives Typus oils. Hydrogenation in the presence of Raney nickel yields a mixture of menthols, from which (-)-menthol can be separated by crystallization and saponification of its chloroacetate. (L-Menthol)

Regulatory status

Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance

Health and food

  • EU cosmetic ingredient inventory
  • Active ingredient in FDA approved drug labels

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 Menthol is traded under.

HS 2906.11Exact HS code

Alcohols: cyclanic, cyclenic or cycloterpenic and derivatives, menthol

World exports in 2024
$699M
+8.8% vs 2023, imports $669M
2019 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. China28.4%
  2. India * partner reported24.1%
  3. Germany20.7%
Top importers
  1. India * partner reported21.3%
  2. China17.9%
  3. United States10.9%

* Partner reported figures, a lower bound.

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

The HS code shown for Menthol is indicative (it was matched by name in the HS nomenclature). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.

Frequently asked questions

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

What is Menthol?

P-menthan-3-ol is any secondary alcohol that is one of the eight possible diastereoisomers of 5-methyl-2-(propan-2-yl)cyclohexan-1-ol. It has a role as a volatile oil component. It is a p-menthane monoterpenoid and a secondary alcohol.

What is the CAS number of Menthol?

The CAS registry number of Menthol is 1490-04-6. Other or deprecated CAS numbers: 15356-70-4, 491-01-0, 89-78-1.

What is the molecular formula and weight of Menthol?

The molecular formula of Menthol is C10H20O and its molar mass is 156.27 g/mol.

What is Menthol used for?

Flavor in liquers, confectionary, perfumery, cigarettes, cough drops, and nasal inhalers. (L-Menthol). Because of its cooling and refreshing effect, (-)-menthol is used in large quantities in cigarettes, cosmetics, toothpastes, chewing gum, sweets, and medicines. (L-Menthol).

Is Menthol hazardous?

Menthol carries the GHS signal word "Warning". Main hazards: causes skin irritation, causes serious eye irritation. This summary is not an SDS, always read the supplier safety data sheet.

What is the HS code of Menthol?

Menthol is usually classified under HS code 290611 (Menthol). This is indicative, confirm it with your customs broker before shipping.

Where can I buy Menthol?

CompoundList lists 140 suppliers of Menthol in China, United States, India, Germany and 16 more. Send one free request to get and compare quotes. Your contact details stay private until you accept a quote.

Where can I buy Menthol in India?

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

What is the price of Menthol?

Suppliers quote Menthol 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 Menthol

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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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