Aromachemical
Also known as: Aroma Chemical
An odorant used as a fragrance ingredient, often discussed in perfumery as an individual manufactured scent material rather than a whole botanical extract.
Aromachemicals are scent materials used to compose fragrances. In perfume discussions, the term commonly refers to manufactured odorants, including molecules also found in nature and materials with other scent effects. A botanical extract, by comparison, can contain a mixture of many compounds.
BASF gives phenylethyl alcohol as an example of a nature-identical component of rose oil. IFF describes Iso E Super as a smooth woody-amber material. Those are two different uses of aroma chemistry: working with a molecule found in a plant and creating a particular effect for a composition.
Perfumers can combine these materials with essential oils and absolutes. Ingredient names help you understand a description, but a note such as rose or sandalwood describes the impression you may notice. It does not identify the complete formula.
If you enjoy a woody-amber effect, comparing fragrances that feature it is a useful way to explore. Keep track of the full fragrance and version: the surrounding composition matters as much to your choice as one highlighted material.