alpha-Methylbenzyl alcohol (CAS 98-85-1) — Floral Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
alpha-Methylbenzyl alcohol
CAS 98-85-1
What Is alpha-Methylbenzyl alcohol?
alpha-Methylbenzyl alcohol is a synthetic aromatic alcohol used in perfumery. It imparts a floral, slightly balsamic scent with a hint of sweetness. You’ll encounter it in fragrances, soaps, and detergents. This ingredient matters because it adds depth to floral compositions and acts as a fixative, helping other scents last longer on the skin.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does alpha-Methylbenzyl alcohol Smell Like?
alpha-Methylbenzyl alcohol offers a complex olfactory profile. Initially, it presents a sharp, slightly medicinal aroma that quickly evolves into a floral heart with nuances of hyacinth and lilac. The dry-down reveals a warm, balsamic sweetness reminiscent of honeyed tobacco. This transformation makes it versatile in perfumery, bridging fresh top notes with deeper base accords.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used to enhance the floral bouquet, adding a subtle balsamic sweetness that balances the aldehydes.
Contributes to the oriental base, blending with vanilla and incense for a warm, honeyed effect.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC(O)C1=CC=CC=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
alpha-Methylbenzyl alcohol is a secondary alcohol with the formula C8H10O. It is synthesized via the reduction of acetophenone or through the Friedel-Crafts alkylation of benzene. The molecule’s chirality affects its olfactory properties, with the (R)-enantiomer being more floral and the (S)-enantiomer more medicinal.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 198 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.01 g/cm³ |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Adds floral depth |
| Soaps | 0.5-1% | Up to 2% | Enhances floral notes |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use in moderation to avoid overpowering other notes.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No restrictions under IFRA standards.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safe use at current levels.
Sustainability
Synthesized from petrochemical sources, but efficient production methods minimize environmental impact. Considered sustainable due to low usage levels in formulations.
Explore alpha-Methylbenzyl alcohol
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References
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 98-85-1Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 122.16 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 1.4🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 203.9 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.1 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 85 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.0098💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -2.451💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC(C1=CC=CC=C1)O🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Heart💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 1.3 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | earthyfloralgreenrose• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | alcoholaromatic💻 RDKit |
| “Dry-floral, earthy-green, Lilac-Jasmin-Mimosa type odor of moderate to poor tenacity.”📖 Arctander | |
| a-Methylbenzyl alcohol has a mild hyacinth–gardenia odor.📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “Green-fruit taste in dilutions below 10 ppm. Rather harsh and unnatural effect at higher levels. The alcohol is also used in flavor compositions, such as imitation Strawberry, Honey, and in various fruit complexes or in Oriental Rose flavors. The concentration used is normally about 1 to 10 ppm in t”📖 Arctander |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 0.3 ppm📖 van Gemert |
Regulatory Status
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2685⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| GRAS Status | Generally Recognized as Safe⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| IOFI Classification | Nature Identical📖 Fenaroli |
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: DTXSID1020859
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 122.167 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.006 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 204.231 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 18.985 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 87.041 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.532 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 120.505 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 1.871 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 1.423 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 1.433 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 5.78 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.081 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.082 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 6.53 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 36.943 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 147.164 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 | 37.34 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 14.803 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.
