Amyl Salicylate (CAS 2050-08-0) — Sweet Base Note Fragrance Ingredient
Amyl Salicylate
CAS 2050-08-0
What Is Amyl Salicylate?
Amyl salicylate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with a sweet, floral, and slightly herbal aroma. You’ll find it in perfumes, soaps, and air fresheners where it adds a fresh, clean character. This versatile molecule matters because it mimics natural floral notes while being more stable and affordable than plant extracts.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFE
What Does Amyl Salicylate Smell Like?
Amyl salicylate opens with a crisp, green-floral burst reminiscent of clover fields at dawn. Within minutes, it evolves into a smooth, sweet heart resembling chamomile tea with honey. The dry-down reveals a soft, powdery-musky base that lingers like sun-warmed linen. Unlike sharper salicylates, its five-carbon chain adds roundness – imagine orchid petals dipped in pear nectar, with just a whisper of minty freshness keeping it from becoming cloying.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used as a floral modifier to soften the aldehydic sparkle and bridge the jasmine-rose heart with the woody base.
Provides a clean, soapy floralcy that complements the carnation and sandalwood, creating its signature ‘fresh laundry’ effect.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCCCCOC(=O)C1=C(O)C=CC=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Amyl salicylate (pentyl 2-hydroxybenzoate) is an ester formed from salicylic acid and amyl alcohol. Industrially produced via Fischer esterification, it’s achiral with a benzene ring esterified to a five-carbon chain. The ortho-positioned hydroxyl group allows some intramolecular hydrogen bonding, influencing its volatility and tenacity. Modern synthesis often uses pentanol and salicylic acid with acid catalysts at 100-150°C.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 280-282 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.052 g/cm³ |
| Flash Point | >100 °C |
| Refractive Index | 1.505-1.509 |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-5% | Up to 10% | Floral modifier/base |
| Soap | 0.5-2% | Up to 3% | Provides lasting floralcy |
Classic Accords
+ Citronellol + Phenethyl Alcohol = Rose bouquet
Tip: Use with ionones to create magnolia effects or with musks for skin-scent applications.
Alternatives & Comparisons
More tenacious with a heavier floral character; better for base notes when longer persistence is needed.
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
No restrictions under IFRA 49th Amendment.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM evaluation confirms safe use at current industry levels.
Sustainability
Synthesized from petrochemical precursors, amyl salicylate has consistent quality and avoids agricultural land use. Production energy can be optimized via catalytic processes. Biodegradation occurs via ester hydrolysis, with moderate environmental persistence (EC50 Daphnia magna >100 mg/L).
Explore Amyl Salicylate
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Industry & Science Data
References
- Bauer et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH.
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Physicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID9029227
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 208.257 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.054 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 275.463 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -11.9 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 117.567 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.521 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 191.783 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4.567 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 3.694 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 3.649 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 8.75 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.002 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 15.056 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 39.446 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 146.685 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 46.53 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 3 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 5 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 58.439 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 23.167 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.
