2-Phenylpropionaldehyde (CAS 93-53-8) — Floral Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
2-Phenylpropionaldehyde
CAS 93-53-8
What Is 2-Phenylpropionaldehyde?
2-Phenylpropionaldehyde is a synthetic fragrance ingredient used in perfumes and flavored products. It adds a sweet, floral-hyacinth character with honey-like undertones. You’ll encounter it in floral perfumes, soaps, and some food flavorings. This aldehyde is valued for its ability to create rich, complex floral effects at low concentrations. It helps perfumers mimic natural flower scents while providing better stability than some botanical extracts.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does 2-Phenylpropionaldehyde Smell Like?
2-Phenylpropionaldehyde opens with a burst of intense floralcy reminiscent of hyacinth and lilac, layered over a surprising honeyed sweetness. As it evolves, the scent reveals a subtle green stem-like quality that prevents it from becoming cloying. The dry-down carries a faint almond-like nuance that adds sophistication. This molecule behaves like a chameleon – in small doses it enhances floral bouquets, while higher concentrations showcase its distinctive honey-floral character with an almost waxy texture.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used sparingly to enhance the aldehydic floralcy, contributing to the perfume’s legendary complexity without overpowering the delicate balance.
Helps create the perfume’s signature carnation-hyacinth accord, adding a sweet floral depth to the spicy carnation notes.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC(C=O)C1=CC=CC=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
2-Phenylpropionaldehyde is an aromatic aldehyde with the phenyl group attached to an aliphatic aldehyde chain. It’s synthesized through the hydroformylation of styrene or oxidation of 2-phenylpropanol. The molecule lacks chirality but exhibits interesting conformational flexibility that influences its odor profile. Its chemical stability makes it valuable in formulations requiring long shelf life.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | Not available |
|---|---|
| Density | Not available |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Floral modifier |
| Soap | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Provides floral depth |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with citrus top notes to prevent the floral heart from becoming too heavy.
Alternatives & Comparisons
When a cleaner, more diffusive floralcy is needed without the honeyed aspects of phenylpropionaldehyde.
For a greener, more hyacinth-like floral character without the sweetness.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not currently restricted by IFRA standards.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM has evaluated this material and found it safe for use at current levels.
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, 2-phenylpropionaldehyde production avoids agricultural impacts but requires petrochemical feedstocks. Modern production methods aim to minimize waste and energy use.
Explore 2-Phenylpropionaldehyde
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References
- Bickers et al. (2003). Safety assessment of aryl alkyl aldehydes. Food and Chemical Toxicology. PubChem
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 93-53-8Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 134.17 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 1.9🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 92 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.1575 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 79 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.0147💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -2.169💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC(C=O)C1=CC=CC=C1🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Top💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 1.1 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | floralgreenhoney• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | aldehydearomatic💻 RDKit |
| 2-Phenylpropionaldehyde has an intense, green, floral odor reminiscent of hyacinth.📖 Fenaroli | |
Regulatory Status
| IFRA Listed | Yes — see IFRA Standards for category limits⚖️ IFRA 51 |
| EU Annex III | Listed (restricted)⚖️ IFRA 51 |
| IOFI Classification | Artificial📖 Fenaroli |
Physical data: PubChem (NIH/NLM), U.S. EPA CompTox Dashboard, EPA OPERA models, RDKit. Odor & flavor: Arctander (Perfume & Flavor Chemicals), Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, Leffingwell. Thresholds: van Gemert (Compilations of Odour Threshold Values). Regulatory: IFRA Standards 51st, FEMA GRAS. Trade names: Surburg (Common Fragrance & Flavor Materials). All data compiled and cross-referenced for perfumertools.com.
Physicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID0052629
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 134.178 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.005 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 207.071 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 9.837 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 75.75 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.506 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 136.824 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 1.96 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 1.993 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 1.993 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 4.45 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.02 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.243 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 2.283 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 33.738 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 138.734 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 17.07 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 40.625 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 16.105 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.
