Acetaldehyde ethyl linalyl acetal (CAS 40910-49-4) — Floral Top to middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Acetaldehyde ethyl linalyl acetal
CAS 40910-49-4
What Is Acetaldehyde ethyl linalyl acetal?
Acetaldehyde ethyl linalyl acetal is a synthetic fragrance ingredient used in perfumery to create fresh, floral-citrus effects. You might encounter it in air fresheners, body sprays, and light floral fragrances. This material matters because it adds sparkling top notes and helps bridge citrus and floral accords in modern perfumery, contributing to fragrances’ initial freshness and lift.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does Acetaldehyde ethyl linalyl acetal Smell Like?
A bright, effervescent material with a dual personality – opening with a champagne-like citrus fizz that quickly evolves into a delicate floralcy reminiscent of lily-of-the-valley. The top note has a metallic freshness like crushed green stems, while the heart reveals a softer, almost peachy undertone. In drydown, it leaves a clean, slightly woody trail that blends seamlessly with other materials. The overall effect is like sunlight sparkling through citrus leaves with floral petals floating on a breeze – weightless yet persistent.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used here for its energizing citrus-floral effect that complements the tonic herbal accord, creating the fragrance’s signature ‘fresh from the shower’ vitality.
Provides the initial sparkling lift in this aquatic floral, helping bridge the citrus top to lotus heart notes with its airy freshness.
Contributes to the Mediterranean breeze effect, adding a crisp, dewy quality to the citrus opening that enhances the fragrance’s transparency.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCOC(C)OC(C)(CCC=C(C)C)C=C
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Acetaldehyde ethyl linalyl acetal belongs to the acetal class of fragrance materials, formed through the reaction of linalool with acetaldehyde in the presence of ethanol. This synthetic material doesn’t occur naturally but mimics certain fresh aspects found in citrus and white flowers. The synthesis typically involves acid-catalyzed condensation under controlled conditions to prevent polymerization. The resulting molecule has chiral centers that can influence odor characteristics, though commercial material is usually racemic.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow liquid |
|---|---|
| Boiling Point | Approx. 230-240 °C (estimated) |
| Density | ~0.89 g/cm³ (estimated) |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Fresh top note modifier |
| Functional Products | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Air freshener applications |
| Soaps/Detergents | 0.05-0.2% | Up to 0.5% | Light freshness booster |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use at 0.1-0.5% in citrus-floral bases to add diffusion and lift without heaviness.
Alternatives & Comparisons
When more ozone-like freshness is needed with better stability in functional products.
For similar floralcy with added fruity nuances and superior tenacity in drydown.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No current IFRA restrictions (as of Amendment 49).
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM evaluation completed in 2008 with no significant safety concerns at current usage levels.
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, this acetal has minimal environmental impact in production compared to natural alternatives. It requires no agricultural land and can be produced from renewable ethanol sources. The synthesis is atom-efficient with few byproducts, making it a relatively sustainable choice for fresh citrus-floral effects.
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References
- IFRA Standards Library (2021). Amendment 49. International Fragrance Association. IFRA Standards
- Bickers et al. (2005). Safety assessment of acetal-related fragrance ingredients. PMID 15603547
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 40910-49-4Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 226.35 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 251 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.0323 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 75 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.0023💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -1.241💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CCOC(C)OC(C)(CCC=C(C)C)C=C🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Heart💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 3.3 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | floralfreshherbal• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | etheralkene💻 RDKit |
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: DTXSID20866024
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 226.36 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.871 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 253.416 °C📊 OPERA |
| Melting Point | -61.851 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 75 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.448 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 261.289 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4.675 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 4.675 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 4.675 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 6.56 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.043 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 2.016 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 25.347 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 131.232 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 | 69.95 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 27.73 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.
