3-Ethylphenol (CAS 620-17-7) — Woody Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient

ByThe Good Scents
Woody · Balsamic

3-Ethylphenol

CAS 620-17-7

Origin
synthetic
Note
Middle
IFRA
Use with awareness
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is 3-Ethylphenol?

3-Ethylphenol is a synthetic aromatic compound used in perfumery to add smoky, leathery, and medicinal nuances. You might encounter it in niche fragrances that aim for bold, unconventional character. This ingredient matters because it provides depth and complexity to modern compositions, particularly those with dark, woody, or animalic themes where a touch of phenolic sharpness is desired.

Safety Profile

USE WITH AWARENESS
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
⚠ Potential skin sensitizer
⚠ Use restricted in some applications
CAS
620-17-7
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Woody · Balsamic
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does 3-Ethylphenol Smell Like?

3-Ethylphenol announces itself with a sharp, phenolic bite reminiscent of hospital antiseptics and charred wood. The initial medicinal blast gradually softens into a smoky leather accord, like the lingering scent of extinguished campfire embers. At dry-down, it reveals a subtle sweetness akin to birch tar, adding animalic depth without overwhelming. Used skillfully, it provides a provocative edge to dark florals and chypres.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Bandit(Robert Piguet, 1944)

Provides the leathery backbone in this iconic chypre, contributing a daring phenolic roughness that contrasts with the galbanum and jasmine.

Jubilation XXV(Amouage, 2008)

Used sparingly to darken the fruity-woody accord, adding a shadowy medicinal nuance beneath the opulent spices and oud.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

3-Ethylphenol

SMILES: CCC1=CC=CC(O)=C1

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

As a substituted phenol, 3-ethylphenol belongs to the aromatic alcohol class. The ethyl group at the meta position influences both volatility and odor characteristics compared to other phenolic derivatives. Industrial synthesis typically involves alkylation of phenol with ethanol under acidic conditions. The meta substitution pattern creates distinct steric and electronic effects that modify both reactivity and olfactory properties versus ortho or para isomers.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling Point218-220 °C
Density1.01 g/cm³

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Middle
Volatility
Moderate (2-4 hours)
Blending
Challenging
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance0.1-0.5%Up to 1%Used as leather/smoke modifier
Functional Fragrance0.01-0.1%Up to 0.2%Restricted due to potency

Classic Accords

+ Birch Tar + Labdanum = Leather + Patchouli + Castoreum = Animalic

Tip: Always pre-dilute to 1% or lower before incorporating due to intense phenolic character.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
4-Ethylguaiacol CAS 2785-89-9

Softer phenolic character with smoky vanilla nuances, preferred when less medicinal sharpness is desired.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

No specific IFRA restrictions. General phenolic compound guidelines apply.

GHS Classification

H315 Skin irritation H319 Eye irritation

RIFM Assessment

Not currently evaluated by RIFM. Use recommended at <1% in final product.

Sustainability

Synthetic production avoids natural resource depletion. Manufacturing requires proper waste phenol management. No known significant environmental persistence.

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References

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

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    Ingredient Data Sheet

    CAS 620-17-7

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight122.16 g/mol🔬 PubChem
    LogP (Octanol-Water)2.4🔬 PubChem
    Boiling Point218.4 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
    Vapor Pressure0.05 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA
    Flash Point94.2 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
    Involatility Index0.0049💻 Calculated
    log Kp (skin permeability)-1.741💻 Calculated
    SMILESCCC1=CC(=CC=C1)O🔬 PubChem

    Volatility & Performance

    Fragrance NoteHeart💻 Calculated
    Volatility ClassVery slow💻 Calculated
    Persistence Score1.9 / 5💻 Calculated

    Odor & Flavor

    Primary Descriptorsphenolic• leffingwell
    Functional Groupsphenolaromatic💻 RDKit

    Sensory Thresholds

    Odor Detection Threshold0.031 ppm (n=3)📖 van Gemert
    Data Sources & Attribution
    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: DTXSID0022480

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight 122.167 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
    Density 1.014 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX
    Boiling Point 216.225 °C🔬 EPA CTX
    Melting Point -4 °C🔬 EPA CTX
    Flash Point 94.075 °C🔬 EPA CTX
    Refractive Index 1.537 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
    Molar Volume 120.681 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

    Partition & Solubility

    LogP (Octanol-Water) 2.409 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX
    LogD (pH 5.5) 2.494 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogD (pH 7.4) 2.494 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 6.09 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    Water Solubility 0.045 mol/L📊 OPERA
    Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole🔬 EPA CTX

    Transport Properties

    Vapor Pressure 0.05 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX
    Viscosity 6.451 cP📊 OPERA
    Surface Tension 36.96 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
    Thermal Conductivity 144.734 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA

    Molecular Descriptors

    Topological Polar Surface Area 20.23 Ų💻 Computed
    H-Bond Donors 1 count💻 Computed
    H-Bond Acceptors 1 count💻 Computed
    Rotatable Bonds 1 count💻 Computed
    Aromatic Rings 1 count💻 Computed
    Molar Refractivity 37.684 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
    Polarizability 14.939 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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