muscone

chemistry

Also known as: muskone

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 1, 2026

Quick Summary

Muscone, also spelled muskone, is an oily macrocyclic ketone with the chemical formula C₁₆H₃₀O. It is the primary odoriferous component found in musk.12

Musk itself is a substance traditionally obtained from the male musk deer, known for its penetrating and persistent odor. It is highly valued in perfumes for its scent, longevity, and fixative properties. The active odoriferous principle in musk is muscone.2

Due to the value of natural musk and the desire for consistent supply, muscone and other musk-scented compounds have been synthesized for use in perfumery.2

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

musk
…odorous principle of musk is muscone (muskone), or 3-methylcyclopentadecanone. Muscone and other compounds that produce musk odour have been synthesized and used in perfumes.
Read More
…odorous principle of musk is muscone (muskone), or 3-methylcyclopentadecanone. Muscone and other compounds that produce musk odour have been synthesized and used in perfumes.
Read More

Leopold Ružička
…discovery that the molecules of muskone and civetone, important to the perfume industry, contain rings of 15 and 17 carbon atoms, respectively. Before this discovery, rings with more than eight atoms had been unknown and indeed had been believed to be too unstable to exist. Ružička’s discovery greatly expanded research…
Read More
…discovery that the molecules of muskone and civetone, important to the perfume industry, contain rings of 15 and 17 carbon atoms, respectively. Before this discovery, rings with more than eight atoms had been unknown and indeed had been believed to be too unstable to exist. Ružička’s discovery greatly expanded research…
Read More