CAS 54464-57-2 · Woody · Amber · IFRA restricted (fine fragrance max 20%)
Iso E Super is IFF's original OTNE, the smooth woody-amber molecule sitting under a huge share of modern perfumes. It is soft, velvety and oddly elusive: some people barely smell it, yet it makes everything around it feel bigger, smoother and longer-lasting.
What it smells like
Dry, velvety cedarwood with a soft amber warmth and a faint vetiver-like edge. Transparent rather than heavy, and very long-lasting on skin and fabric.
How perfumers use it
Perfumers use it generously as a woody backbone. It blends into almost any accord, lifts florals and citruses, and with Ambroxan and a clean musk forms the classic woody-amber skin scent. Because it is IFRA restricted, check the limit for your product category, especially at the high doses this material invites.
Blends well with: Ambroxan / Ambermor, Hedione, Galaxolide, Cedramber, Bergamot.
IFRA & regulatory
Restricted under the IFRA Standards (51st Amendment, in force). Maximum in fine fragrance (Category 4): 20%; other product types have different limits. EU: Added to the EU's expanded fragrance-allergen list (Regulation 2023/1545): declare on EU cosmetic labels above 0.001% (leave-on) or 0.01% (rinse-off).
For use in perfumery, cosmetics and fragrance manufacturing only. Not for ingestion. Handle neat material with gloves and good ventilation. The certificate of analysis (COA) and safety data sheet (SDS) are available on request.
Frequently asked questions
What is Iso E Super made of?
Iso E Super is IFF's trade name for OTNE, a synthetic woody-amber ketone (CAS 54464-57-2).
Why can't I smell Iso E Super?
Some people have a partial anosmia to OTNE. It still changes how a blend smells, adding smoothness and radiance, even when it is hard to smell on its own.
Is Iso E Super restricted by IFRA?
Restricted under the IFRA Standards (51st Amendment, in force). Maximum in fine fragrance (Category 4): 20%; other product types have different limits. EU: Added to the EU's expanded fragrance-allergen list (Regulation 2023/1545): declare on EU cosmetic labels above 0.001% (leave-on) or 0.01% (rinse-off).
Browse more aroma chemicals for perfumery. Technical and regulatory data checked 21 September 2026 against the IFRA Standards (51st Amendment) and the 52nd Amendment consultation outcome.