Description
Musk ambrette is a pale yellowish or whitish-yellow or yellow crystal (varying with crystal size and structure). Almost insoluble in water, 3.3% soluble in alcohol, 37% soluble in Diethyl phthalate, 50% soluble in Benzyl benzoate, practically insoluble in Terpenes or mineral oil. The sweet, yet heavy, floral-musky odor of excellent tenacity. The characteristic note of this Nitromusk is the floral tone of its muskiness.
Chemical Properties
Pale yellow crystals. Melting point: 84-86°C. Soluble in 3.3% 95% ethanol, 50% benzyl benzoate, and 29% benzyl alcohol. It has a strongly sweet, animalic aroma with notes of ambergris, musk, and ambrette seed oil, with hints of floral and anise notes. The aroma is quite lingering and the taste is bitter.
Occurrence
Has apparently not been reported to occur in nature
Uses
Musk Ambrette is one of the most frequently used artificial musks. It is hard to imagine a day's work unless the jar with Musk Ambrette has been used. Musk Ambrette is used to a minor degree in flavor compositions. It finds its way into such types as Cherry, Maple, Nut, Spice, Vanilla, Mint, Fruit, etc., and has been used in trace amounts in dentifrice flavors.
Definition
ChEBI: Musk ambrette is a C-nitro compound.
Preparation
By nitration of the corresponding benzene derivative (Bedoukian, 1967).
