Allyl sulfide (CAS 592-88-1) — Spicy Top Note Fragrance Ingredient

Spicy · Musky

Allyl sulfide

CAS 592-88-1

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

What Is Allyl sulfide?

Allyl sulfide is a synthetic organic compound primarily encountered in industrial settings and some niche fragrance applications. It has a strong, pungent aroma reminiscent of garlic or onions. This molecule matters in perfumery for creating bold, savory accords, though its use is limited due to its intense character.

Safety Profile

PROFESSIONAL USE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
Strong irritant – handle with care
Not for consumer products
CAS
592-88-1
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Spicy · Musky
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Allyl sulfide Smell Like?

Allyl sulfide assaults the senses with a sharp, aggressive aroma – think crushed garlic cloves meeting rubber tires. The initial blast is intensely sulfurous, with a metallic edge that lingers uncomfortably. As it dries down, the character softens slightly into a sweaty, animalic funk, but never loses its challenging, industrial quality. This is not an ingredient for the faint-hearted – it dominates blends with its persistent, acrid presence.

Scent Profile
Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

3-(Prop-2-en-1-ylsulfanyl)prop-1-ene

SMILES: C=CCSCC=C

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

Allyl sulfide belongs to the organosulfur compounds class, characterized by a sulfur atom bridging two allyl groups. While it occurs naturally in garlic and onions, commercial production typically involves the reaction of allyl chloride with sodium sulfide. The molecule’s planar structure and electron-rich sulfur atom contribute to its potent odor characteristics and reactivity.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling PointNot available
DensityNot available

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Top
Volatility
High (30-90 min)
Blending
Challenging
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Industrial Fragrance0.1-0.5%Up to 1%Extreme caution required

Classic Accords

Tip: Use in trace amounts only – this molecule will overpower most compositions.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Diallyl disulfide CAS 2179-57-9

Less aggressive sulfur note with similar garlic character but better blending properties.

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 professional handling required.

GHS Classification

H315 Skin irritation H319 Eye irritation H335 May cause respiratory irritation

RIFM Assessment

Not currently assessed by RIFM due to limited fragrance use.

Sustainability

Synthetically produced from petrochemical sources. No significant environmental concerns due to extremely low usage volumes in fragrance applications. Not derived from natural sources despite garlic-like odor profile.

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References

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

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    Ingredient Data Sheet

    CAS 592-88-1

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight114.21 g/mol🔬 PubChem
    LogP (Octanol-Water)2.2🔬 PubChem
    Boiling Point139 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
    Vapor Pressure9.22 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA
    Flash Point46.1 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
    Involatility Index0.9298💻 Calculated
    log Kp (skin permeability)-1.835💻 Calculated
    SMILESC=CCSCC=C🔬 PubChem

    Volatility & Performance

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

    Odor & Flavor

    Primary Descriptorsgarlicpungentsweet• leffingwell
    Functional Groupsalkene💻 RDKit
    “This material finds use in meat and soup flavors to support the effect of Garlic oil, and to "sharpen" the odor of the Garlic. It is also used in Garlic powders and various condiment blends.”📖 Arctander
    A colorless liquid with characteristic garlic odor. Oil-soluble component of garlic.📖 Fenaroli

    Flavor Notes (Arctander)

    “Sweet, Radish-Garlic-like taste in extreme dilution. Greener and sharper odor and taste when compared to Diallyl disulfide. This material finds use in meat and soup flavors to support the effect of Garlic oil, and to "sharpen" the odor of the Garlic. It is also used in Garlic powders and various con”📖 Arctander

    Sensory Thresholds

    Odor Detection Threshold2.3877 ppm (n=4)📖 van Gemert

    Regulatory Status

    FEMA NumberFEMA 2042⚖️ FEMA GRAS
    GRAS StatusGenerally Recognized as Safe⚖️ FEMA GRAS
    IOFI ClassificationNature Identical📖 Fenaroli
    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: DTXSID6060470

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight 114.21 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
    Density 0.888 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX
    Boiling Point 138.525 °C🔬 EPA CTX
    Melting Point -84.091 °C🔬 EPA CTX
    Flash Point 38.403 °C🔬 EPA CTX
    Refractive Index 1.478 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
    Molar Volume 131.732 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

    Partition & Solubility

    LogP (Octanol-Water) 2.61 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX
    LogD (pH 5.5) 2.606 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogD (pH 7.4) 2.606 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 3.78 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    Water Solubility 0.028 mol/L📊 OPERA
    Henry's Law Constant 0.002 atm-m3/mole🔬 EPA CTX

    Transport Properties

    Vapor Pressure 9.336 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX
    Viscosity 0.677 cP📊 OPERA
    Surface Tension 26.883 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
    Thermal Conductivity 133.819 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA

    Molecular Descriptors

    Topological Polar Surface Area 0 Ų💻 Computed
    H-Bond Donors 0 count💻 Computed
    H-Bond Acceptors 1 count💻 Computed
    Rotatable Bonds 4 count💻 Computed
    Aromatic Rings 0 count💻 Computed
    Molar Refractivity 37.294 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
    Polarizability 14.784 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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