2-Phenoxyethyl propionate (CAS 23495-12-7) — Floral Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
2-Phenoxyethyl propionate
CAS 23495-12-7
What Is 2-Phenoxyethyl propionate?
2-Phenoxyethyl propionate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient used in perfumes and personal care products. It contributes fresh, floral, and slightly fruity nuances to compositions. You’ll encounter it in fine fragrances, body lotions, and air fresheners where it adds brightness and lift. This ester compound matters because it offers perfumers a versatile building block that blends well with other ingredients while providing good stability in formulations.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does 2-Phenoxyethyl propionate Smell Like?
2-Phenoxyethyl propionate opens with a crisp, slightly green floral character reminiscent of crushed rose stems with a hint of pear skin. The heart develops into a soft, powdery floralcy akin to violet petals dusted with icing sugar. As it dries down, it reveals a clean muskiness with whispers of fresh linen. The overall effect is airy and transparent – like sunlight filtering through a floral bouquet wrapped in tissue paper.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used here for its soft musky-floral character that enhances the fragrance’s ‘your skin but better’ concept. Provides subtle lift without overpowering the warm amber base.
Contributes to the fragrance’s signature ‘amorphous’ floral quality, blending seamlessly with iris and ambroxan to create an intimate skin scent.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCC(=O)OCCOC1=CC=CC=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
2-Phenoxyethyl propionate is an ester formed from phenoxyethanol and propionic acid. As a synthetic molecule, it doesn’t occur naturally. Industrial synthesis typically involves direct esterification of phenoxyethanol with propionic acid under acidic conditions. The ester linkage gives the molecule moderate polarity while the aromatic ring contributes stability. Its balanced structure allows both hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions in fragrance systems.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow liquid |
|---|---|
| Boiling Point | ~250 °C (estimated) |
| Density | ~1.05 g/cm³ (estimated) |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-5% | Up to 8% | Floral-musk modifier |
| Body Care | 0.5-3% | Up to 5% | Softening agent |
| Home Fragrance | 2-7% | Up to 10% | Diffusive floral note |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use to soften harsh floral notes and add diffusion to musky compositions.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Offers similar floral character with more fruity nuances. Slightly more diffusive but less tenacious.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not currently restricted by IFRA.
RIFM Assessment
Considered safe for current usage levels based on RIFM data.
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, 2-Phenoxyethyl propionate has minimal environmental impact from sourcing. Production typically uses green chemistry principles with high atom economy. Offers consistent quality without natural variation or agricultural resource demands.
Explore 2-Phenoxyethyl propionate
Browse essential oils and aroma compounds.
Browse on iHerb →Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
References
- Bauer, K. et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH.
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID9047203
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 194.23 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.059 g/cm^3📊 OPERA |
| Boiling Point | 260.719 °C📊 OPERA |
| Melting Point | 51.145 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 109.104 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.494 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 182.945 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.302 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 2.302 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 2.302 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 6.08 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.006 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.005 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Viscosity | 3.918 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 35.818 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 149.628 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 35.53 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 3 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 5 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 53.238 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 21.105 Å^3📊 OPERA |
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.
