2-Bornyl propionate (CAS 20279-25-8) — Woody Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient

ByThe Good Scents
Woody · Green

2-Bornyl propionate

CAS 20279-25-8

Origin
synthetic
Note
Middle
IFRA
Generally safe
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is 2-Bornyl propionate?

2-Bornyl propionate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient occasionally found in pine-scented household cleaners and masculine colognes. It contributes a crisp, woody-pine character with subtle fruity undertones. This molecule matters because it mimics natural pine aromas without relying on pine tree harvesting, offering a sustainable alternative for forest-inspired scents.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
✓ No major safety concerns reported
⚠ Limited toxicology data available
CAS
20279-25-8
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Woody · Green
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does 2-Bornyl propionate Smell Like?

2-Bornyl propionate opens with a brisk pine needle sharpness reminiscent of alpine forests after rain, quickly revealing a hidden fruity dimension like unripe pineapple skin. The heart develops a clean woody character with camphoraceous undertones, while the dry-down leaves a subtle balsamic warmth. Unlike raw pine oils, it lacks resinous stickiness, presenting instead as a polished, almost metallic interpretation of coniferous aromas.

Scent Profile
Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

2-Bornyl propionate

SMILES: CCC(=O)OC1CC2CCC1(C)C2(C)C

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

2-Bornyl propionate is an ester formed by the reaction of borneol with propionic acid. As a synthetic terpenoid, it belongs to the bicyclic monoterpene class. Industrial synthesis typically involves esterification of commercially available borneol under acidic conditions. The molecule exhibits chirality, with the (1R)-enantiomer being more common in fragrance applications due to its cleaner olfactory profile compared to the racemic mixture.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling PointNot available
DensityNot available

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Middle
Volatility
Medium (2-4 hours)
Blending
Good with woody notes
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance0.5-2%Up to 5%Pine accord modifier
Household Cleaners1-3%Up to 8%Disinfectant-type freshness

Classic Accords

Tip: Use to add crispness to synthetic pine accords without introducing the stickiness of natural pine resins.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Isobornyl acetate CAS 125-12-2

More camphoraceous pine note with higher volatility, suitable for top notes in similar applications.

2
Bornyl acetate CAS 76-49-3

Natural counterpart with softer, rounder pine character but lower stability in formulations.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.

IFRA Status

Not restricted under current IFRA standards (Amendment 49).

RIFM Assessment

No RIFM safety assessment currently available.

Sustainability

As a fully synthetic material, 2-Bornyl propionate reduces pressure on natural pine resources. Production typically uses petrochemical feedstocks, though bio-based routes from turpentine derivatives are theoretically possible. The material’s stability reduces waste in formulations compared to natural pine extracts.

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References

    Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.

    Report a data error

    Physicochemical Properties

    DTXSID: DTXSID70859764

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight 210.317 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
    Density 0.96 g/cm^3📊 OPERA
    Boiling Point 230.543 °C📊 OPERA
    Melting Point 52.95 °C📊 OPERA
    Flash Point 94.187 °C📊 OPERA

    Partition & Solubility

    LogP (Octanol-Water) 3.154 dimensionless💻 Computed
    Water Solubility 0.002 mol/L📊 OPERA

    Transport Properties

    Vapor Pressure 0.044 mmHg📊 OPERA
    Viscosity 9.15 cP📊 OPERA
    Surface Tension 30.365 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
    Thermal Conductivity 115.809 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA

    Molecular Descriptors

    Topological Polar Surface Area 26.3 Ų💻 Computed
    H-Bond Donors 0 count💻 Computed
    H-Bond Acceptors 2 count💻 Computed
    Rotatable Bonds 2 count💻 Computed
    Aromatic Rings 0 count💻 Computed

    Data Sources:

    🔬 EPA Experimental data from U.S. EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard & CTX APIs. 📊 OPERA Predicted using EPA's OPERA QSAR models. 💻 Computed Calculated from SMILES using RDKit.

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