Anisyl propionate (CAS 7549-33-9) — Sweet Top to Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Anisyl propionate
CAS 7549-33-9
What Is Anisyl propionate?
Anisyl propionate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient used to add sweet, floral, and slightly spicy nuances to perfumes and flavored products. It’s commonly found in gourmand fragrances and scented candles. This ester matters because it bridges floral and edible scent profiles, offering perfumers a versatile tool for creating warm, comforting compositions with subtle complexity.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Anisyl propionate Smell Like?
Anisyl propionate opens with a sweet, powdery-anisic burst reminiscent of licorice candies and vanilla blossoms. Within minutes, it reveals a heart of honeyed heliotrope and baked goods, like almond croissants fresh from the oven. The dry-down settles into a creamy, benzoin-like warmth with whispers of carnation spice. Unlike straight anisic notes, it never turns medicinal – instead maintaining a plush, gourmand character that enhances both floral and oriental accords.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used as a bridge between citrus top notes and vanilla base, adding a gourmand-floral dimension to the iconic oriental structure.
Provides a honeyed-anisic warmth that complements the magnolia heart note, creating a luminous yet comforting effect.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCC(=O)OCC1=CC=C(OC)C=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Anisyl propionate is an ester formed from anisyl alcohol and propionic acid. Its synthesis typically involves Fischer esterification under acidic conditions. The compound belongs to the benzyl ethers class, with the methoxy group on the benzene ring contributing to its sweet character. While not naturally abundant, related structures occur in some vanilla and heliotrope extracts. The propionate esterification increases volatility compared to anisyl acetate, making it particularly useful for top-to-middle note transitions.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 194.23 g/mol |
|---|---|
| Boiling Point | 295 °C (estimated) |
| Density | 1.08 g/cm³ (estimated) |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-5% | Up to 10% | Adds gourmand warmth |
| Candles | 3-8% | Up to 15% | Enhances baked goods accord |
| Soaps | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Use sparingly to prevent residue |
Classic Accords
Tip: Combine with ionones to create a velvety floral-gourmand effect without excessive sweetness.
Alternatives & Comparisons
More floral and less gourmand, with higher volatility. Better for fresh top notes when less sweetness is desired.
Provides sharper anisic character without the creamy aspects. Useful for fougère and herbal compositions.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not currently restricted by IFRA. Listed as safe when used within industry standards.
EU Allergen Declaration
Not listed in EU allergen regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment concludes safe use at current industry levels with no significant sensitization risk.
Sustainability
Synthesized from petrochemical precursors with relatively low environmental impact. Production generates minimal waste compared to natural extraction methods. Biodegradability studies suggest moderate environmental persistence, though less concerning than related benzyl compounds.
Explore Anisyl propionate
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References
- Bickers et al. (2003). Safety assessment of anisyl derivatives. Food and Chemical Toxicology. PubChem
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 7549-33-9Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 194.23 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.7🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 277 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -1.968💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CCC(=O)OCC1=CC=C(C=C1)OC🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Heart💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | floralfruityherbalsweetvanilla• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | esteretheraromatic💻 RDKit |
| “Sweet fruity, floral and somewhat Vanilla-like odor.”📖 Arctander | |
| Anise propionate has an herbaceous odor and fruity (cherry, peach) taste. -📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “Finds considerable use in flavor compositions for imitation Apricot, Cherry, Peach, Quince, Raspberry, and in Licorice flavorings.”📖 Arctander |
Regulatory Status
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2102⚖️ 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: DTXSID8047713
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 194.23 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.078 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 277 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 46.719 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 112.067 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.497 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 182.749 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.403 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 2.403 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 2.403 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 6.07 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.005 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.004 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Viscosity | 3.915 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 34.913 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 140.848 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 35.53 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 3 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 4 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 53.521 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 21.217 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.
