2-Propenoic acid, 2-cyano-3,3-diphenyl-, 2-ethylhexyl ester (CAS 6197-30-4) — Balsamic Base Note Fragrance Ingredient

Balsamic · Woody

2-_Propenoic acid, 2-_cyano-_3,_3-_diphenyl-_, 2-_ethylhexyl ester

CAS 6197-30-4

Origin
synthetic
Note
Base
IFRA
Professional use
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is 2-_Propenoic acid, 2-_cyano-_3,_3-_diphenyl-_, 2-_ethylhexyl ester?

2-Propenoic acid, 2-cyano-3,3-diphenyl-, 2-ethylhexyl ester is a synthetic fragrance ingredient primarily used in industrial applications and niche perfumery. It’s encountered in specialty cosmetic formulations and some avant-garde fragrances. This compound is valued for its ability to contribute unique olfactory effects that can’t be achieved with natural materials alone, making it important for creating innovative scent profiles in modern perfumery.

Safety Profile

PROFESSIONAL USE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
Limited safety data available
Professional handling recommended
CAS
6197-30-4
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Balsamic · Woody
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does 2-_Propenoic acid, 2-_cyano-_3,_3-_diphenyl-_, 2-_ethylhexyl ester Smell Like?

This synthetic molecule offers a complex olfactory profile with sharp, almost metallic top notes that evolve into a dense, resinous heart. The dry-down reveals surprising facets – imagine the waxy density of old books combined with the faintest whisper of burnt rubber, softened by an unexpected fruity undertone. Its persistence is remarkable, clinging to skin with an almost adhesive quality that perfumers can leverage for experimental compositions.

Scent Profile
Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

2-Ethylhexyl-2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate

SMILES: CCCCC(CC)COC(=O)C(C#N)=C(C1=CC=CC=C1)C1=CC=CC=C1

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

This acrylate ester derivative belongs to the cyanoacrylate family, synthesized through esterification of diphenylcyanoacrylic acid with 2-ethylhexanol. The diphenyl groups create significant steric hindrance, influencing both its physical properties and olfactory characteristics. While not found in nature, its molecular architecture shares similarities with some plant-derived resin components, explaining certain facets of its complex odor profile.

Physical & Chemical Properties

AppearanceViscous liquid
ColorPale yellow to amber

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Base
Volatility
Very low (24+ hours)
Blending
Challenging
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance0.1-0.5%Up to 1%Used as an exotic base note
Functional Fragrance0.01-0.1%Up to 0.5%Industrial applications

Classic Accords

Tip: Use with extreme moderation – this material can overwhelm compositions at levels above 0.5%.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Methyl 2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate CAS 5232-99-5

Offers similar cyano-acrylate characteristics with slightly higher volatility and less tenacity in the dry-down.

2
Ethyl 2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate CAS 5232-98-4

A more soluble variant that maintains the core odor profile while improving blendability in alcohol bases.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

Not currently restricted by IFRA, but usage should follow general acrylate safety guidelines.

RIFM Assessment

No RIFM assessment available – treat as requiring full safety evaluation before commercial use.

Sustainability

As a purely synthetic material, this compound avoids natural resource depletion but requires careful consideration of its petrochemical origins. The manufacturing process involves multiple steps with moderate energy requirements. While not biodegradable, its extremely low usage levels in fragrance minimize environmental impact.

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References

  1. Chemical Abstracts Service (2023). Substance details for CAS 6197-30-4. CAS Registry
  2. EPA Substance Registry Services (2023). Substance details. EPA SRS

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

Report a data error

Physicochemical Properties

DTXSID: DTXSID9025299

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight 361.485 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
Density 1.051 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX
Boiling Point 442.316 °C📊 OPERA
Melting Point -9.95 °C🔬 EPA CTX
Flash Point 234 °C🔬 EPA CTX
Refractive Index 1.546 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
Molar Volume 342.462 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 6.1 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX
LogD (pH 5.5) 6.074 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 7.4) 6.074 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 11.74 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
Water Solubility 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX
Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

Transport Properties

Vapor Pressure 0 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX
Surface Tension 41.549 dyn/cm📊 OPERA

Molecular Descriptors

Topological Polar Surface Area 50.09 Ų💻 Computed
H-Bond Donors 0 count💻 Computed
H-Bond Acceptors 3 count💻 Computed
Rotatable Bonds 9 count💻 Computed
Aromatic Rings 2 count💻 Computed
Molar Refractivity 108.368 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
Polarizability 42.96 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.

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