Benzyl formate (CAS 104-57-4) — Sweet Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
Benzyl formate
CAS 104-57-4
What Is Benzyl formate?
Benzyl formate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with a sweet, fruity, and slightly floral aroma. It’s commonly found in perfumes, soaps, and food flavorings. This ester adds a fresh, uplifting quality to fragrances and is valued for its ability to enhance fruity and floral notes. Its stability and versatility make it a popular choice in both fine fragrances and household products.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Benzyl formate Smell Like?
Benzyl formate exudes a bright, fruity sweetness reminiscent of ripe peaches and fresh jasmine. The initial burst is lively and slightly green, evolving into a heart of honeyed florals with a subtle spicy undertone. The dry-down is soft and creamy, leaving a lingering impression of tropical fruits and delicate blossoms.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used to enhance the floral bouquet, adding a fruity sweetness that complements the aldehydes and jasmine.
Adds a bright, fruity top note that contrasts with the deep vanilla and amber base.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: O=COCC1=CC=CC=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Benzyl formate is an ester formed from benzyl alcohol and formic acid. It is typically synthesized via esterification under acidic conditions. This compound is part of the ester family, known for their fruity and floral odors. Its simple structure makes it versatile in fragrance applications.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 202-203 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.081 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.5110 |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-5% | Up to 10% | Adds fruity sweetness |
| Soaps | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Enhances floral notes |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use in small amounts to brighten floral compositions without overpowering.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Offers a similar fruity floral note but with a more pronounced jasmine character.
Provides a sharper, more ethereal fruity note suitable for lighter fragrances.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No restrictions under IFRA standards.
EU Allergen Declaration
Not listed as an EU allergen.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safety at current usage levels.
Sustainability
Benzyl formate is synthesized from petrochemical sources, with no known major environmental concerns. Its efficient production and stability make it a sustainable choice for long-lasting fragrances.
Explore Benzyl formate
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References
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 104-57-4Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 136.15 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 1.6🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 202 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 1.2676 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 86 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.1171💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -2.395💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | C1=CC=C(C=C1)COC=O🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Top💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Moderate💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 0.5 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | cherryfreshfruity• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | etheraromatic💻 RDKit |
| “Powerful, fruity-green, herbaceous-earthly, yet somewhat floral, heavy, but not very tenacious odor.”📖 Arctander | |
| Benzyl formate has an intense, pleasant, floral-fruity odor and sweet taste reminiscent of apricot and pineapple.📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “Very sweet taste, more fruity than floral, spicy Banana-type. Used in flavor compositions for imitation Apricot, Banana, Cherry, Chocolate, Honey, Liquor, Nut, Peach, Plum, Prune, Pineapple, etc.”📖 Arctander |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 177 ppm📖 van Gemert |
Regulatory Status
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2145⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| GRAS Status | Generally Recognized as Safe⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| 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: DTXSID5059298
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 136.15 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.09 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 202.467 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -26.57 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 82.83 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.511 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 125.932 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 1.79 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 1.753 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 1.753 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 4.44 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.021 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole🔬 EPA CTX |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 1.459 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 1.887 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 37.15 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 146.216 mW/(m*K)📊 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 | 3 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 37.734 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 14.959 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.
