Acetaldehyde ethyl hexyl acetal (CAS 54484-73-0) — Green Top Note Fragrance Ingredient

Green · Citrus

Acetaldehyde ethyl hexyl acetal

CAS 54484-73-0

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

What Is Acetaldehyde ethyl hexyl acetal?

Acetaldehyde ethyl hexyl acetal is a synthetic fragrance ingredient used to add fresh, green, and slightly floral nuances to perfumes and scented products. You’ll encounter it in air fresheners, fabric softeners, and some citrus-forward perfumes. This molecule matters because it provides a crisp, diffusive quality that helps brighten fragrance compositions without being overpowering.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
No major restrictions
Limited toxicology data
CAS
54484-73-0
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Green · Citrus
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Acetaldehyde ethyl hexyl acetal Smell Like?

Acetaldehyde ethyl hexyl acetal bursts with a vibrant green freshness reminiscent of crushed leaves and unripe citrus peel. The initial impression is sharply aldehydic, evolving into a watery cucumber-like coolness with subtle floral undertones. As it dries down, it reveals a clean, slightly ozonic character that lingers like morning dew on grass. The overall effect is airy and transparent, making it ideal for creating lift in fragrance compositions.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Eau de Cartier(Cartier, 2001)

Used here to amplify the sparkling citrus top notes and create an airy, transparent quality that carries the floral heart.

Light Blue(Dolce & Gabbana, 2001)

Contributes to the fresh, aquatic character that defines this summer fragrance, blending seamlessly with citrus and woody notes.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

Hexane, 1-(1-ethoxyethoxy)-

SMILES: CCCCCCOC(C)OCC

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

Acetaldehyde ethyl hexyl acetal belongs to the acetal class of fragrance compounds, formed through the reaction of acetaldehyde with 2-ethylhexanol. These acetals are valued for their stability compared to their aldehyde precursors. The synthesis typically involves acid-catalyzed condensation under controlled conditions to prevent polymerization. The resulting molecule features a branched alkyl group that contributes to its volatility and diffusion properties.

Physical & Chemical Properties

AppearanceColorless liquid
Odor ThresholdLow (high potency)

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Top
Volatility
High (30-90 min)
Blending
Good
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance0.5-2%Up to 5%Fresh top note component
Functional Fragrance1-3%Up to 8%Boosts clean, fresh character

Classic Accords

Tip: Use in trace amounts to brighten citrus compositions without adding heaviness.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Floralozone CAS 67634-15-5

Provides similar freshness with more pronounced floral character when a fuller bouquet is desired.

2
Verdox CAS 88-41-5

Offers greener, more herbal qualities for compositions needing natural-appearing freshness.

Layer 3

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

No specific RIFM assessment found for this material.

Sustainability

As a synthetic material, production avoids agricultural land use. The manufacturing process requires careful solvent management to minimize environmental impact. Being highly potent, it’s used in small quantities which reduces its overall footprint in fragrance formulations.

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References

  1. Bauer, K. et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH.

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

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Ingredient Data Sheet

CAS 54484-73-0

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight174.28 g/mol🔬 PubChem
LogP (Octanol-Water)3.2🔬 PubChem
Boiling Point195 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
Vapor Pressure1.2023 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA
Flash Point48.8 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
Involatility Index0.0982💻 Calculated
log Kp (skin permeability)-1.491💻 Calculated
SMILESCCCCCCOC(C)OCC🔬 PubChem

Volatility & Performance

Fragrance NoteTop💻 Calculated
Volatility ClassSlow💻 Calculated
Persistence Score0.5 / 5💻 Calculated

Odor & Flavor

Primary Descriptorsalcoholicearthyetherealfloralgreen• leffingwell
Functional Groupsether💻 RDKit
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: DTXSID60866427

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight 174.284 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
Density 0.843 g/cm^3📊 OPERA
Boiling Point 197.529 °C📊 OPERA
Melting Point -58.556 °C📊 OPERA
Flash Point 58.179 °C📊 OPERA
Refractive Index 1.416 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
Molar Volume 206.704 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 3.193 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 5.5) 3.193 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 7.4) 3.193 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 5.01 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
Water Solubility 0.006 mol/L📊 OPERA
Henry's Law Constant 0.001 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

Transport Properties

Vapor Pressure 0.671 mmHg📊 OPERA
Viscosity 1.388 cP📊 OPERA
Surface Tension 25.287 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
Thermal Conductivity 133.124 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA

Molecular Descriptors

Topological Polar Surface Area 18.46 Ų💻 Computed
H-Bond Donors 0 count💻 Computed
H-Bond Acceptors 2 count💻 Computed
Rotatable Bonds 8 count💻 Computed
Aromatic Rings 0 count💻 Computed
Molar Refractivity 51.827 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
Polarizability 20.546 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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