Amyl cinnamate (CAS 122-40-7) — Floral Heart Note Fragrance Ingredient
Amyl cinnamate
CAS 122-40-7
What Is Amyl cinnamate?
Amyl cinnamate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a warm, floral-spicy character to perfumes and scented products. You’ll encounter it in floral bouquets, oriental perfumes, and some fruity body care formulations. This versatile material bridges floral and gourmand worlds, contributing to perfumes that feel both elegant and approachable. Its balanced profile makes it a perfumer’s tool for adding depth without overwhelming other notes.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Amyl cinnamate Smell Like?
Amyl cinnamate unfolds like a tropical garden at dusk – initial bursts of banana-like sweetness mellow into a heart of velvety carnation with spicy undertones. The dry-down reveals a comforting base resembling baked apples dusted with cinnamon. Unlike simpler esters, it maintains remarkable tenacity for a floral note, evolving gracefully over hours rather than disappearing abruptly. When overdosed, it can dominate compositions with a clove-like intensity, but at optimal levels it adds voluptuousness to white florals and warmth to woody accords.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used here for its narcotic floralcy, amplifying the tuberose while adding a seductive fruity-spicy dimension that made this fragrance legendary.
Provides the subtle jammy undertone that bridges the citrus top and patchouli base, creating the perfume’s addictive quality.
Contributes to the explosive floral effect, adding body to the synthetic floral notes while enhancing their naturalistic qualities.
Used in the gourmand-floral accord, where its spicy facets complement the chocolate and truffle notes for an opulent effect.
Helps create the signature ‘powdery fruit’ effect, smoothing the transition between iris and praline notes.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCCCCC(C=O)=CC1=CC=CC=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Amyl cinnamate (pentyl cinnamate) is an ester formed from cinnamic acid and amyl alcohol. While found trace amounts in some essential oils like ylang-ylang, commercial production typically involves Fischer esterification. The synthesis allows precise control over the amyl chain length (typically n-pentyl), which significantly impacts odor characteristics. Unlike some floral esters, its relatively large molecular size (MW 204.26) contributes to better longevity in fragrance applications. The molecule’s planar structure and conjugated double bond system are responsible for its UV absorption properties, requiring formulation consideration in products with sun exposure.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | ~300 °C |
|---|---|
| Flash Point | >100 °C |
| Density | ~1.0 g/cm³ |
| Vapor Pressure | Low |
| Solubility | Soluble in alcohol, oils; insoluble in water |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-5% | Up to 8% | Floral and oriental bases |
| Soap/Detergent | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Provides floral stability in alkaline media |
| Shampoo/Conditioner | 0.05-0.3% | Up to 0.5% | Adds lingering floral character |
| Candles | 2-4% | Up to 6% | Performs well at high temperatures |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with ionones to create sophisticated fruity-floral effects that avoid juvenility.
Alternatives & Comparisons
For warmer, more balsamic floral effects with better fixative properties but less fruity top notes.
When a brighter, more aldehydic floral character is needed with superior diffusion.
Provides similar spicy facets but with more green freshness and less sweetness.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. IFRA, REACH, EU Cosmetics Regulation standards update periodically. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating. Not legal or regulatory advice.
IFRA Status
Not currently restricted under IFRA standards. Listed on IFRA Transparency List with no concentration limits specified.
EU Allergen Declaration
Not listed in EU allergen regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 Annex III.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safe use at current industry levels with no significant toxicity concerns.
Sustainability
As a purely synthetic material, amyl cinnamate avoids agricultural supply chain issues. Modern production methods have reduced environmental impact through improved catalyst systems and solvent recovery. However, its petrochemical origin means it’s not renewable. Some manufacturers are exploring bio-based routes using fermentation-derived alcohols, though these are not yet commercially significant.
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References
- Bauer, K. et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH. DOI 10.1002/9783527618427
- Arctander, S. (1969). Perfume and Flavor Chemicals. Allured Publishing.
- IFRA Transparency List (2023). IFRA Official
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 122-40-7Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 202.29 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4.2🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 284 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Flash Point | 105 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -0.952💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CCCCCC(=CC1=CC=CC=C1)C=O🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Base💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | floral• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | aldehydealkenearomatic💻 RDKit |
| “soap perfumes. Introduces Jasmin-like floralness when accompanied by more volatile chemicals of floral character. Blends excellently and assists in fixation of the fragrance (ACA is quite tenacious). There is a marked difference in odor quality and floral effect between "high-grade" Amyl cinnamic aldehyde and "regular" or commercial (prime, etc.) grade. Lots from various producers also show considerable difference in odor quality. ACA is very susceptible to oxidation unless properly treated with”📖 Arctander | |
| a-Amylcinnamaldehyde has a distinct floral (jasmine, lily) note.📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “Used in flavor compositions for imitation Apple, Apricot, Peach, Spice, Strawberry, Walnut, usually in traces only.”📖 Arctander |
Regulatory Status
| IFRA Listed | Yes — see IFRA Standards for category limits⚖️ IFRA 51 |
| EU Annex III | Listed (restricted)⚖️ IFRA 51 |
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2061⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| GRAS Status | Generally Recognized as Safe⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
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: DTXSID8029157
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 202.297 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.992 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 285.917 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 80 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 115.175 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.534 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 210.063 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.599 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 4.278 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 4.278 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 7.42 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.001 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.003 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Viscosity | 5.084 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 35.817 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 17.07 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 6 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 65.336 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 25.901 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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