Benzyl cinnamate (CAS 103-41-3) — Sweet Base Note Fragrance Ingredient
Benzyl cinnamate
CAS 103-41-3
What Is Benzyl cinnamate?
Benzyl cinnamate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient commonly found in perfumes and personal care products. It imparts a sweet, balsamic, and slightly floral aroma that enhances the warmth and longevity of fragrances. This ester is valued for its ability to add depth and richness to scent compositions, making it a popular choice in oriental and floral perfumery.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Benzyl cinnamate Smell Like?
Benzyl cinnamate unfolds with an initial burst of sweet, honey-like warmth, reminiscent of dried apricots and vanilla. As it settles, the heart reveals a balsamic richness with subtle floral undertones, akin to aged amber resins. The dry-down is a velvety, slightly powdery base that lingers with a comforting, gourmand-like presence. Its evolution is smooth and persistent, making it ideal for anchoring lighter notes in complex compositions.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Benzyl cinnamate enhances Shalimar’s oriental character, adding a warm, balsamic sweetness that complements the vanilla and bergamot accord.
Used to amplify the spicy, resinous depth of Opium, blending seamlessly with myrrh and cinnamon.
Provides a rich, honeyed base that balances the fragrance’s fiery spice and floral notes.
Adds a velvety, balsamic warmth to this iconic oriental, enhancing its longevity and sillage.
Contributes to the amber-like dry-down, creating a sensual, addictive trail.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: O=C(OCC1=CC=CC=C1)C=CC1=CC=CC=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Benzyl cinnamate is an ester formed by the condensation of benzyl alcohol and cinnamic acid. It belongs to the class of aromatic esters, known for their sweet and balsamic olfactory properties. Synthetically, it is typically produced via esterification under acidic conditions or through transesterification reactions. The molecule lacks chirality, simplifying its synthesis and ensuring consistent odor profiles across batches. Its stability under normal conditions makes it a reliable ingredient in perfumery.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | Not specified |
|---|---|
| Density | Not specified |
| Flash Point | Not specified |
| Solubility | Slightly soluble in water, soluble in alcohol and oils |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-5% | Up to 10% | Adds warmth and longevity |
| Soaps | 0.5-2% | Up to 3% | Stable in alkaline conditions |
| Candles | 2-6% | Up to 8% | Enhances throw and richness |
| Cosmetics | 0.1-1% | Up to 2% | Skin-safe at low concentrations |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use benzyl cinnamate to anchor citrus top notes and prevent rapid evaporation.
Alternatives & Comparisons
A lighter, less balsamic ester with similar fixative properties but milder sweetness.
Offers a more pronounced spicy-cinnamon character with comparable longevity.
Provides a cleaner, floral-musk base without the gourmand nuances.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not restricted by IFRA. Generally recognized as safe for use in fragrances within typical concentration ranges.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM has evaluated benzyl cinnamate and confirmed its safety for use in current practices.
Sustainability
As a synthetic ingredient, benzyl cinnamate does not rely on agricultural resources. Its production is scalable with minimal environmental impact when proper waste management protocols are followed. The ester’s stability reduces the need for preservatives or special storage conditions, further lowering its ecological footprint.
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References
- PubChem Compound Summary for Benzyl cinnamate PubChem CID: N/A
- Arctander, S. (1969). Perfume and Flavor Chemicals. Allured Publishing.
- IFRA Standards Library IFRA
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 103-41-3Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 238.28 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.8🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 228 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 1 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 100 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.0698💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -1.456💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | C1=CC=C(C=C1)COC(=O)C=CC2=CC=CC=C2🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Heart💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 0.5 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | balsamicfloralsweet• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | esteretheralkenearomatic💻 RDKit |
| “It blends well with floral “Cinnamein”’ (this name also used for Benzyl bases, spicy fragrances and Ambre types. odor of great tenacity.”📖 Arctander | |
| Benzyl cinnamate has a sweet, balsamic odor and a honey-like taste.📖 Fenaroli | |
Regulatory Status
| IFRA Listed | Yes — see IFRA Standards for category limits⚖️ IFRA 51 |
| EU Annex III | Listed (restricted)⚖️ IFRA 51 |
| 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: DTXSID3041663
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 238.286 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.183 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 354.75 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 36.464 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 225.8 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.608 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 211.1 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4.12 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 3.512 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 3.512 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 8.21 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.04 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Surface Tension | 43.23 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 26.3 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 4 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 73.037 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 28.954 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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