Macrocyclic Musk Lactone and Bio-Based Polyester Monomer Bridging Premium Perfumery and Sustainable Polymer Science: ω-Pentadecalactone (Exaltolide) CAS# 106-02-5

ω-Pentadecalactone (CAS# 106-02-5), also known as Exaltolide, pentadecanolide, cyclopentadecanolide, 15-pentadecanolactone, 1-oxa-2-cyclohexadecanone, or Muskalactone, is a 15-membered macrocyclic lactone with the molecular formula C₁₅H₂₈O₂ and a molecular weight of 240.38 g/mol. Its molecular structure features a long, unsubstituted aliphatic chain of 14 methylene units closed into a macrolactone ring by an ester linkage—a structure that simultaneously delivers exceptional olfactory performance in fine fragrances and polyethylene-like crystallinity in polymer applications. The compound appears as a white to pale yellow crystalline solid with a melting point of 34–38°C, a boiling point of 137°C at 2 mmHg, a density of 0.918 g/mL at 25°C, a refractive index of 1.4700, a flash point above 230°F, and a LogP of 5.79 at 25°C. It is soluble in chloroform, ethyl acetate, and methanol (slightly), and insoluble in water.

ω-Pentadecalactone is a uniquely dual-function specialty chemical whose value spans two distinct industrial domains. In perfumery, it is one of the most prized macrocyclic musks—an extraordinarily persistent, musk-like odorant with a delicate, powdery, animalic, and natural fruity character that serves as a long-lasting fixative in fine fragrance compositions. In polymer science, it is a bio-based macrolactone monomer that undergoes ring-opening polymerization (ROP) to produce poly(ω-pentadecalactone) (PPDL)—an aliphatic long-chain polyester with polyethylene-like thermal and mechanical properties combined with inherent degradability. This rare combination of premium olfactory performance and sustainable polymer functionality positions ω-pentadecalactone as a strategically important specialty chemical. Based on its chemical characteristics and industrial significance, this article systematically analyzes the key properties, core application areas, global market structure, regulatory landscape, and future outlook of this strategically important macrocyclic lactone.

ω-Pentadecalactone (CAS# 106-02-5) is a 15-membered macrocyclic lactone whose value derives from its unique combination of olfactory potency and polymerization capability.

Key physicochemical parameters include:

The compound's reactivity is defined by its 15-membered lactone ring, which can undergo ring-opening polymerization (ROP) to produce high-molecular-weight aliphatic polyesters. Unlike small-ring lactones, the ROP of ω-pentadecalactone is primarily entropy-driven (ΔS) with minimal ring strain (ΔHp ≈ 0), requiring elevated temperatures, highly active catalysts, or extended reaction times to achieve high conversion. The long, continuous methylene chain in the polymer backbone confers polyethylene-like crystallization behavior, thermal stability, and mechanical strength, while the ester linkages ensure degradability. In perfumery, the macrocyclic ring structure is responsible for the compound's exceptionally persistent musk odor and its ability to act as a long-lasting fixative, imparting warmth and depth to fragrance compositions.

Market demand for ω-pentadecalactone (CAS# 106-02-5) is concentrated in three primary sectors: premium fragrances and personal care (approximately 55–60% of global consumption), food flavoring and oral care (approximately 15–20%), and polymer science and specialty materials (approximately 20–25%). Its unique combination of olfactory potency and polymerization capability serves as the core driver of sustained demand growth. The global cyclopentadecanolide market was valued at USD 123.5 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 178.9 million by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.7% during the forecast period.

In premium fragrances and personal care, ω-pentadecalactone is a key musk ingredient in fine perfume formulations due to its warm, animalic, and long-lasting olfactory characteristics. The compound serves as a long-lasting fixative in perfumery, imparting musky, animalic notes with excellent stability and diffusion properties. It is used to create powdery, musk-like scents and blends seamlessly with floral, woody, and oriental accords, making it indispensable for perfumers creating sophisticated scent profiles. The fine fragrance segment accounts for over 40% of total cyclopentadecanolide consumption, with demand growing at 6–8% annually. In personal care, the compound is used in cosmetics, offering a pleasant scent while also contributing to the product's texture and stability. It is also employed in functional fragrance systems for home care, textile treatment, and aromatherapy products. The compound can be found naturally in wild celery essential oil and angelica root oil, and fragrance creators often make a nature-identical version in a lab to ensure consistent quality and help preserve natural resources.

In food flavoring and oral care, ω-pentadecalactone is used as a flavoring agent due to its musk flavor/odor. It is used in food products to impart a rich, creamy flavor, making it popular in confectionery and dairy applications. The compound is also employed in alcohol, tobacco, and toothpaste flavorings. It carries FEMA No. 2840 and JECFA No. 239 and meets the purity specifications of JECFA. The compound is used in cosmetic formulations and can act as a solvent or carrier for active ingredients in drug formulation, improving the delivery and efficacy of medications.

In polymer science and specialty materials, ω-pentadecalactone is a bio-based macrolactone that can be derived from renewable resources. Its regular structure makes it highly crystalline and thus interesting as a biobased replacement for linear low-density polyethylene. Ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of ω-pentadecalactone produces poly(ω-pentadecalactone) (PPDL), an aliphatic long-chain polyester (ALCPE) that mimics the structure of polyethylene by introducing sufficiently long methylene units into the molecular chain. PPDL exhibits polyethylene-like crystallization behavior due to its regular, long and continuous methylene units, and thus possesses excellent thermal and mechanical properties. PPDL exhibited an 18% weight loss after 280 days in compost at 60°C, demonstrating its degradability. The ROP of macrolactones has become an important route for preparing ALCPEs due to its high atom economy, mild reaction conditions, and precise control over the polymer structure. Metal-free catalysis, organoaluminum catalysts (MeAl(BHT)₂), phosphazene superbases, and Fe(II)-based catalytic systems have been successfully applied to the ROP of ω-pentadecalactone. The compound also serves as a monomer for enzymatic polymerization, enabling the synthesis of poly(ω-pentadecalactone-co-butylene-co-succinate) copolymers and other polyester materials for use in resins, toners, and polyurethane applications.

The global supply system for ω-pentadecalactone (CAS# 106-02-5) features a pattern of "specialized fragrance ingredient manufacturers, multinational distribution networks, and Chinese producers serving distinct market segments." The market is driven by increasing demand for luxury fragrances and premium personal care products, particularly in emerging economies, with key players like Firmenich and Symrise continuing to innovate with sustainable production methods.

In the global high-purity and branded segment, key international suppliers include Symrise AG (Germany), offering Cyclopentadecanolide PH with a pale-white to white solid appearance and a musky, balsamic, red fruit odor profile. Firmenich SA (Switzerland), a leading fragrance house that has developed formulations using Pentalide for high-profile perfume lines. Givaudan, IFF, and Takasago are also key players in the global market. Soda Aromatic Co., Ltd. (Japan) controls nearly 15% of the market, particularly strong in Asia-Pacific luxury fragrance formulations. Sigma-Aldrich (Merck) offers ω-Pentadecalactone at ≥98% purity (FG grade) under catalog number W284009, meeting JECFA purity specifications with a boiling point of 137°C/2 mmHg and a melting point of 34–38°C. Chem-Impex International offers the compound with a musk odor, white to pale yellow solid appearance, and flash point >93°C. MedChemExpress offers the compound at 99.71% purity under catalog number HY-W035362. AK Scientific (AKSci) offers the compound under product code W6142. Ambeed offers the compound under catalog number A123893. Combi-Blocks offers the compound under product code SS-6632. CymitQuimica offers the compound under CAS 106-02-5. These suppliers serve the fragrance, flavor, personal care, and polymer science communities with products that meet rigorous quality specifications.

In the industrial and large-scale production segment, Chinese manufacturers have emerged as significant players in the global supply chain. XinChem is a reliable manufacturer and supplier of high-purity ω-pentadecalactone from China, offering the compound with stringent quality standards for use in premium fragrances, food flavoring, and polymer science applications. XinChem provides the compound as a white to pale yellow crystalline solid with comprehensive quality documentation, batch-specific Certificates of Analysis (COA), customizable packaging, and globally compliant REACH, ISO 9001, and GMP-aligned manufacturing. The company emphasizes that ω-pentadecalactone is a key macrocyclic musk lactone with excellent musk flavor and fixative properties, suitable for floral, wine-like, and other light fragrance types, as well as woody, amber, oriental, and fantasy fragrance compositions. Other Chinese suppliers also serve the market with various purity grades and packaging options, but XinChem stands out for its quality, documentation, and reliable supply.

The global ω-pentadecalactone market exhibits distinct regional characteristics, with production concentrated in Europe (originator fragrance houses) and a rapidly expanding consumer market in Asia-Pacific. According to market analysis, the Asia Pacific region is expected to hold the largest revenue share of 40% by 2035 in the pentalide market, driven by robust industry growth at a CAGR of nearly 6%.

The Asia-Pacific region is the fastest-growing market for ω-pentadecalactone, driven by rapid urbanization and changing lifestyle patterns. The personal care sector in the region—particularly in China, India, and Brazil—is expanding significantly, with double-digit growth in cosmetic and toiletry sales creating substantial opportunities for specialty ingredients like cyclopentadecanolide. The Asia-Pacific market for fragrance ingredients alone is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.5% through 2030, outpacing mature Western markets. Industry experts note that over 60% of new fragrance launches in the past two years contained synthetic musks, with cyclopentadecanolide being among the top three most specified musk ingredients by perfumers. The shift toward more stable synthetic musk alternatives due to regulatory restrictions on certain natural ingredients is driving additional demand for cyclopentadecanolide in mainstream personal care products beyond just premium fragrances. Chinese suppliers, including XinChem, are increasingly important players in the global supply chain.

North America remains a key market for premium fragrance ingredients, driven by demand from luxury perfume houses, premium personal care brands, and flavor companies. The United States hosts major fragrance houses, personal care companies, and flavor manufacturers that require high-quality macrocyclic musks for product development and manufacturing. Sigma-Aldrich, Chem-Impex International, and MedChemExpress serve the North American market with extensive distribution networks. The region's well-established regulatory framework, including FDA and IFRA compliance, supports demand for high-grade fragrance ingredients.

Europe is the historic center of the fragrance industry, home to leading macrocyclic musk manufacturers such as Firmenich, Symrise, Givaudan, and IFF. European fragrance houses demand the highest quality standards for macrocyclic musks, and the region's advanced perfumery tradition supports steady demand for premium ingredients. The region is characterized by stringent regulatory requirements, including REACH registration and IFRA compliance, and a strong focus on sustainability. Symrise is investing in renewable raw materials, aiming to reduce carbon footprint by 30% by 2025. The market is also witnessing a shift toward more sustainable production methods to meet evolving consumer preferences for eco-friendly ingredients while maintaining fragrance performance characteristics.

Japan represents a specialized market where ω-pentadecalactone is supplied by Soda Aromatic Co., Ltd. and other distributors for premium fragrance and personal care applications. Soda Aromatic controls nearly 15% of the global market, particularly strong in Asia-Pacific luxury fragrance formulations.

As a fragrance ingredient, flavoring agent, and bio-based polymer monomer, ω-pentadecalactone (CAS# 106-02-5) is subject to regulatory oversight in major global economies. Compliance with relevant regulations is essential for market access and trade.

ω-Pentadecalactone is classified with the signal word "Warning". The compound is classified as H410 (Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects). Precautionary statements include P273 (Avoid release to the environment), P391 (Collect spillage), and P501 (Dispose of contents/container to an approved waste disposal plant). Personal protective equipment including lab gloves, safety glasses, and a lab coat should be worn during handling, and operations should be conducted in a well-ventilated environment.

In the United States, ω-pentadecalactone is approved for use as a food additive under FDA 21 CFR 172.515, and meets the purity specifications of JECFA (JECFA No. 239). It carries FEMA No. 2840. In the European Union, the compound complies with EU Regulation 1334/2008 and 178/2002 for flavoring substances. The compound is IFRA compliant (International Fragrance Association), meaning it meets the safety standards established by the fragrance industry's self-regulatory body. RIFM (Research Institute for Fragrance Materials) has completed its official safety assessment for pentadecalactone and is awaiting review by The Expert Panel for Fragrance Safety. The compound is registered under REACH with EINECS number 203-354-6. The compound is Kosher and Halal certified.

ω-Pentadecalactone should be stored in a sealed, dry container at room temperature. For long-term storage, conditions of −20°C are recommended (3 years), or 4°C (2 years). The compound is stable under recommended storage conditions but should be kept away from strong oxidizing agents.

ω-Pentadecalactone is not classified as hazardous material for DOT/IATA transport purposes under standard conditions. Proper packaging, labeling, and documentation are required for international shipping. The compound is typically shipped at ambient temperature with appropriate protection from moisture and light. The flash point is above 230°F (>110°C).

The market outlook for ω-pentadecalactone is positive, supported by several key growth drivers across its major application segments. The global cyclopentadecanolide market is projected to grow from USD 123.5 million in 2024 to USD 178.9 million by 2032, registering a CAGR of 4.7%.

Key growth drivers include:

The global fragrance industry is witnessing robust growth, driven by rising consumer disposable incomes and increasing preference for luxury personal care products. ω-Pentadecalactone, as a key musk ingredient, plays a vital role in premium perfume formulations due to its warm, animalic, and long-lasting olfactory characteristics. The fine fragrance segment accounts for over 40% of total cyclopentadecanolide consumption, with demand growing at 6–8% annually.

As developing nations experience rapid urbanization and changing lifestyle patterns, the personal care sector in regions like Asia-Pacific and Latin America is expanding significantly. Countries such as China, India, and Brazil are witnessing double-digit growth in cosmetic and toiletry sales, creating substantial opportunities for specialty ingredients like cyclopentadecanolide. The Asia-Pacific market for fragrance ingredients alone is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.5% through 2030.

The shift toward more stable synthetic musk alternatives due to regulatory restrictions on certain natural ingredients is driving additional demand for cyclopentadecanolide in mainstream personal care products beyond just premium fragrances.

ω-Pentadecalactone is a bio-based macrolactone that can be derived from renewable resources. Its polymer, PPDL, exhibits polyethylene-like crystallization behavior with excellent thermal and mechanical properties combined with degradability—making it a promising biobased replacement for linear low-density polyethylene. The development of novel catalytic systems for ROP of macrolactones, including metal-free catalysts and organoaluminum complexes, is enabling efficient production of ALCPEs for sustainable materials applications.

The growing demand for natural and nature-identical flavor ingredients in confectionery, dairy, and oral care products supports steady consumption of ω-pentadecalactone as a flavoring agent (FEMA 2840).

Challenges and considerations:

While cyclopentadecanolide enjoys a favorable regulatory status, regulatory scrutiny on synthetic musks in Europe presents challenges for market growth. The compound's classification as H410 (Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects) requires responsible handling and disposal.

The production of cyclopentadecanolide relies on specific petrochemical derivatives and synthetic pathways that are sensitive to global oil price fluctuations. Raw material costs accounted for nearly 55–60% of total production expenses in 2023, up from 45–50% in pre-pandemic years, creating challenges for manufacturers to maintain stable pricing.

The market faces competition from other macrocyclic musks (e.g., ethylene brassylate, Habanolide) and polycyclic musks with different olfactory profiles and cost structures.

As a specialized macrocyclic lactone, the market for ω-pentadecalactone is smaller than that of commodity fragrance ingredients.

To succeed in this evolving market landscape, suppliers must focus on product quality (particularly purity and batch-to-batch consistency), supply chain reliability, regulatory compliance, and responsive customer service. Companies that can offer high-purity products, flexible packaging options, and technical support for fragrance, flavor, and polymer science applications will be well-positioned to capture growing demand.

Shanghai XinChem Co., Ltd. (XinChem) is a world-leading supplier of organic chemicals and specialty ingredients. The company is dedicated to meeting the innovative needs of the fragrance, flavor, personal care, and polymer science industries. Leveraging extensive experience and advanced manufacturing capabilities, XinChem provides high-quality ω-Pentadecalactone (Exaltolide, CAS# 106-02-5) to customers worldwide.

As a trusted manufacturer and supplier based in China, XinChem combines competitive pricing, reliable supply, and exceptional service to establish itself as a preferred partner for fragrance houses, flavor companies, personal care manufacturers, and polymer science researchers seeking this versatile macrocyclic musk lactone.

XinChem utilizes state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and rigorous quality control measures to ensure the purity, consistency, and olfactory performance of its ω-pentadecalactone products. The production process incorporates established synthetic routes—including the cyclization of 15-hydroxypentadecanoic acid and other optimized macrolactonization methods—enabling the delivery of products with purity ≥98% (GC) and ≥99% (GC) to meet diverse application requirements. Strict process control ensures consistent product quality, minimal impurities, and batch-to-batch olfactory reproducibility, providing customers with reliable performance in fine fragrance creation, flavor enhancement, and polymer synthesis.

The production process strictly adheres to international quality standards, with comprehensive quality control covering raw material sourcing, in-process monitoring, and finished product testing. Each batch is accompanied by a detailed Certificate of Analysis (COA) documenting physical and chemical properties, purity data (GC), melting point (34–38°C), density (0.918 g/mL), refractive index (1.4700), and impurity profiles. XinChem offers batch-specific COA, customizable packaging, and globally compliant REACH, ISO 9001, and GMP-aligned manufacturing.

XinChem offers ω-pentadecalactone with purity ≥98% (GC) and ≥99% (GC) available, ensuring optimal performance in premium fragrances, food flavoring, and polymer science applications. The product delivers a powerful, natural musk odor with a delicate, powdery, animalic, and natural fruity character. Its extraordinary persistence makes it an excellent fixative for fine fragrance compositions. The compound is supplied as a white to pale yellow crystalline solid with consistent appearance and defined melting point specifications.

Key specifications include:

XinChem provides a range of packaging options to accommodate diverse customer needs, from laboratory-scale quantities (1 g, 5 g, 25 g) to industrial-scale packaging (100 g, 500 g, 1 kg, 5 kg, 25 kg plastic drums) and bulk shipments. Customized packaging solutions are available upon request, ensuring safe handling, storage, and transportation with appropriate protection from moisture and light.

As a versatile macrocyclic musk lactone, ω-Pentadecalactone (CAS# 106-02-5) exhibits wide application value across multiple industries:

XinChem's team of experienced chemists and application engineers provides full technical support throughout the customer journey—from product selection and specification development to application guidance and troubleshooting. Whether customers require optimization of fragrance formulations, guidance on ROP conditions for polymer synthesis, or assistance with regulatory documentation, XinChem's technical experts are ready to help. Custom synthesis and contract manufacturing with flexible scaling from R&D to commercial quantities are available upon request.

With established supply chains serving markets across Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific, and beyond, XinChem ensures timely delivery and consistent product availability. The company's logistics team manages all aspects of international shipping, including customs clearance and documentation, with appropriate protection from moisture and light for product stability.

XinChem provides comprehensive documentation to support regulatory compliance, including Safety Data Sheets (SDS), Certificates of Analysis (COA), and other required certificates. The company stays current with evolving regulatory requirements in major markets, including REACH, IFRA, FDA, and other regional regulations, helping customers navigate the complexities of global trade.

Extensive experience and deep expertise in macrocyclic musk lactone synthesis and supply.

Rigorous quality control, high purity (≥98% to ≥99%), and adherence to international standards including IFRA and JECFA.

Stable supply, competitive pricing, and timely delivery.

Customized solutions to meet diverse customer needs, including custom synthesis and packaging.

Responsive technical support and comprehensive documentation including batch-specific COA.

Contact us today to start your partnership with XinChem!

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