Calone

Calone or methylbenzodioxepinone, trade-named Calone 1951, is an organic compound with the formula CH3C6H3(OCH2)2CO. A white solid, it is a derivative of 4-methylcatechol. In the fragrance industry it is known as "watermelon ketone".

It was discovered by Pfizer in 1966. It is used to give the olfactory impression of a fresh seashore through the marine and ozone nuances. Calone is similar in structure to brown algae pheromones like ectocarpene and is also distantly related in structure to the benzodiazepine class of sedatives. Calone is an unusual chemical compound which has an intense "sea-breeze" note with slight floral and fruit overtones. It has been used as a scent component since the 1980s for its watery, fresh, ozone accords, and as a more dominant note in several perfumes of the marine trend, beginning in the 1990s. In 2014, Plummer et al. reported the synthesis and fragrance properties of several related aliphatic analogues. Swiss company Firmenich later released CASCALONE®, a sweet, watery version of calone with a transparent floral signature.