Benzyl acetone (CAS 2550-26-7) — Floral Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Benzyl acetone
CAS 2550-26-7
What Is Benzyl acetone?
Benzyl acetone is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with a sweet, floral, and slightly fruity aroma. It is commonly used in perfumes, soaps, and detergents. This ingredient is valued for its ability to enhance floral compositions and add a touch of sweetness to various fragrance formulations.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Benzyl acetone Smell Like?
Benzyl acetone offers a sweet, floral scent reminiscent of jasmine and lilac, with subtle fruity undertones. It evolves from a bright top note to a soft, powdery heart, settling into a gentle, lingering sweetness. Its dry-down is smooth and slightly woody, making it a versatile middle note in floral and fruity accords.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used to enhance the floral bouquet, adding a sweet, powdery dimension to the iconic jasmine and rose heart.
Contributes to the radiant floralcy, blending seamlessly with ylang-ylang and Damascus rose.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC(=O)CCC1=CC=CC=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Benzyl acetone is a simple aromatic ketone, synthesized via the condensation of benzaldehyde with acetone. It belongs to the phenylpropanoid class of compounds, often used as a precursor in the synthesis of more complex fragrance molecules. Its straightforward structure makes it a versatile building block in perfumery.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 235 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.001 g/cm³ |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 2-5% | Up to 10% | Floral enhancer |
| Soaps | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Sweetness booster |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use in floral compositions to add sweetness and depth.
Alternatives & Comparisons
A milder alternative with similar floral notes but less sweetness.
Offers a rosier profile with comparable floral sweetness.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not restricted by IFRA.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM has assessed benzyl acetone as safe for use in current applications.
Sustainability
Benzyl acetone is synthetically produced, reducing reliance on natural resources. Its production is efficient, with minimal environmental impact when handled responsibly.
Explore Benzyl acetone
Browse essential oils and aroma compounds.
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References
- PubChem. Benzyl Acetone. PubChem CID: 7524
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID6033241
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 148.205 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.987 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 235.65 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -13.65 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 99.05 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.504 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 152.384 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 2.153 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 2.153 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 5.26 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.019 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.047 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 2.501 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 34.963 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 143.112 mW/(m*K)📊 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 | 3 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 45.097 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 17.878 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.
