Cinnamyl Alcohol (CAS 104-54-1) — Floral Base Note Fragrance Ingredient
Cinnamyl Alcohol
CAS 104-54-1
What Is Cinnamyl Alcohol?
Cinnamyl alcohol is a naturally occurring organic compound found in cinnamon bark and other plants. It’s widely used in perfumes, soaps, and flavorings, giving them a sweet, floral, and slightly spicy aroma. This ingredient matters because it adds warmth and complexity to fragrances, often serving as a bridge between floral and oriental scent profiles. Its versatility makes it a staple in both high-end perfumery and everyday scented products.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESS
What Does Cinnamyl Alcohol Smell Like?
Cinnamyl alcohol greets the nose with a radiant, honeyed sweetness reminiscent of lilacs in bloom. The initial burst evolves into a heart of warm cinnamon spice softened by powdery floral undertones. As it dries down, it reveals a velvety balsamic character with whispers of vanilla and a faint woody backbone. The scent lingers like the memory of a spice market at dusk – neither too sweet nor too sharp, but perfectly balanced between gourmand warmth and floral elegance.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used as a floral-spicy bridge between citrus top notes and vanilla-amber base. Creates Jicky’s legendary balance between freshness and warmth.
Adds subtle warmth to the floral bouquet, enhancing the powdery aspects while preventing the aldehydes from becoming too sharp.
Contributes to the oriental spice accord, blending with cloves and cinnamon to create the fragrance’s signature warmth.
Softens the carnation note with its honeyed floral character, adding roundness to this classic floral bouquet.
Works with vanilla and benzoin to create the legendary oriental base, adding floral-spicy complexity.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: OCC=CC1=CC=CC=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Cinnamyl alcohol (3-phenyl-2-propen-1-ol) is an unsaturated aromatic alcohol belonging to the phenylpropanoid class. Naturally occurring in cinnamon bark and storax resin, it’s typically synthesized via the reduction of cinnamaldehyde or through the Perkin reaction. The trans-isomer predominates in nature and commerce. Its conjugated double bond and hydroxyl group make it reactive in ester formation and oxidation reactions. The molecule’s planar structure and extended conjugation contribute to its distinctive odor properties and moderate volatility.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 250 °C |
|---|---|
| Melting Point | 33 °C |
| Flash Point | 126 °C |
| Density | 1.04 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.5819 |
| Solubility | Slightly soluble in water, soluble in alcohol and oils |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Adds warmth to floral and oriental compositions |
| Soap | 0.5-1.5% | Up to 2% | Provides lasting floral-spicy character |
| Detergents | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Used in trace amounts for accent notes |
| Candles | 2-4% | Up to 6% | Good heat stability for warm spice accords |
Classic Accords
+ Rose + Clove = Spicy Floral
+ Bergamot + Oakmoss = Chypre
Tip: Use with aldehydes C-9 to C-12 to create sophisticated floral bouquets with honeyed undertones.
Alternatives & Comparisons
More intense cinnamon character but lacks floral aspects. Use when stronger spice impact is needed.
Similar floral character without spice. Better for pure rose reconstructions.
Offers clove-like spice with less sweetness. Works well in carnation accords.
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
IFRA restricted to 4% in leave-on products (Category 1) and 7.5% in rinse-off (Category 5) due to sensitization potential (IFRA 49th Amendment).
EU Allergen Declaration
Must be declared when present at ≥0.001% in leave-on or ≥0.01% in rinse-off products (EU Regulation No 1223/2009).
GHS Classification
H319 Eye irritation
H317 May cause allergic skin reaction
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safe use at current IFRA limits. No evidence of phototoxicity or systemic effects at typical use levels.
Sustainability
While naturally occurring in cinnamon oil, most commercial cinnamyl alcohol is synthesized from petrochemical precursors for consistency and sustainability. Synthetic production avoids pressure on cinnamon tree populations. The manufacturing process has moderate environmental impact but benefits from high atom economy in the reduction step. Biocatalytic production methods are under development.
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Industry & Science Data
References
- Bickers et al. (2005). A toxicologic and dermatologic assessment of cinnamyl alcohol. Food and Chemical Toxicology. PMID 15854760
- Arctander, S. (1969). Perfume and Flavor Chemicals. Allured Publishing.
- IFRA Standards (2021). 49th Amendment. IFRA Standards
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Ingredient Data Sheet
CAS 104-54-1Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 134.17 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 1.9🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 250 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.024 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 126 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.0022💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -2.169💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | C1=CC=C(C=C1)C=CCO🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Heart💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 2.3 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Functional Groups | alcoholalkenearomatic💻 RDKit |
| “Overall Hyacinth-type odor with some resemblance to Rose. Widely used in perfume compositions, including many low-cost floral fragrances, soap perfumes, etc. Blends excellently with Amylsalicylate, Phenylethylalcohol, aromatic propionates, benzoates, etc. Generally as a modifier-blender with fair tenacity and moderate fixative value.”📖 Arctander | |
| Cinnamyl alcohol has a pleasant, floral odor and bitter taste.📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “Almost insoluble in water, soluble in alcohol, Propylene glycol, Glycerine, and most perfume and flavor oils, but practically insoluble in mineral oil. Used in flavor compositions for imitation Apricot, Brandy, Cinnamon, Grape, Liquor, Peach, Plum, Prune, Nut, Raspberry, Spice, Strawberry, Black Wal”📖 Arctander |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 0.0044 ppm (n=5)📖 van Gemert |
Regulatory Status
| IFRA Listed | Yes — see IFRA Standards for category limits⚖️ IFRA 51 |
| EU Annex III | Listed (restricted)⚖️ IFRA 51 |
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2294⚖️ 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: DTXSID9041491
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 134.178 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.025 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 253.375 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 32.946 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 122.444 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.599 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 127.915 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 1.919 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 1.79 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 1.82 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 7.02 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.033 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.024 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 4.141 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 39.903 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 20.23 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 43.677 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 17.315 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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