Cinnamyl butyrate (CAS 103-61-7) — Sweet Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Cinnamyl butyrate
CAS 103-61-7
What Is Cinnamyl butyrate?
Cinnamyl butyrate is a synthetic fragrance compound that mimics the warm, spicy-sweet aroma of cinnamon with a fruity twist. You’ll encounter it in gourmand perfumes, candle scents, and flavored products. This ingredient matters because it bridges the gap between food-inspired scents and traditional perfumery, creating inviting, comforting fragrances with excellent staying power.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does Cinnamyl butyrate Smell Like?
Cinnamyl butyrate bursts with a jammy cinnamon roll warmth – think melted butter on cinnamon toast with a drizzle of plum compote. The opening has a boozy, almost rum-like fruity intensity that mellows into a smooth balsamic heart. As it dries down, it reveals a creamy vanilla-amber base note that lingers like the memory of a spice market at dusk. Unlike raw cinnamon, it lacks harsh phenolic edges, instead offering a rounded sweetness that blends seamlessly with florals and woods.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Provides the addictive gourmand cinnamon core that makes this fragrance so craveable, blending with saffron and tobacco to create explosive warmth.
Used as a bridge between the patchouli base and citrus top, adding a plush cinnamon-hazelnut dimension to the chocolate accord.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCCC(=O)OCC=CC1=CC=CC=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Cinnamyl butyrate is an ester formed by the condensation of cinnamyl alcohol and butyric acid. As a synthetic molecule, it’s typically produced via Fischer esterification under acidic conditions. The ester linkage gives it greater stability than raw cinnamic aldehyde, while the butyrate side chain contributes to its creamy diffusion. Though not found in nature, its structural relatives occur in cinnamon bark and tropical fruits.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | ~300 °C (estimated) |
|---|---|
| Density | ~1.01 g/cm³ (estimated) |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Adds warmth to oriental bases |
| Candles | 1-3% | Up to 8% | Creates baked goods realism |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with white musks to prevent the spice from dominating the drydown.
Alternatives & Comparisons
For a brighter, less gourmand cinnamon effect with apple-like freshness.
When a softer, strawberry-like cinnamon is needed with better floral compatibility.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No restrictions under IFRA 51st Amendment. Typical use levels well below sensitization thresholds.
EU Allergen Declaration
Not classified as an EU allergen under Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM evaluation confirms safe use at current industry levels with proper precautions.
Sustainability
As a fully synthetic material, cinnamyl butyrate avoids agricultural impacts of cinnamon cultivation. Production typically uses green chemistry principles with >90% atom economy. Being petroleum-derived, its carbon footprint depends on renewable energy use in manufacturing.
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References
- Burdock, G.A. (2010). Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. CRC Press.
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 103-61-7Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 204.26 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.1🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 300 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.0263 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 131.9 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.002💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -1.745💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CCCC(=O)OCC=CC1=CC=CC=C1🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Base💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 3 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | balsamicfloralfruity• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | esteretheralkenearomatic💻 RDKit |
| “Fruity-balsamic, rather faint, but actually heavy odor, resembling Phenylethyl butyrate, but less floral. The undertone is floral and rich, but the overall impression is fruity-balsamic.”📖 Arctander | |
| Cinnamyl butyrate has a fruity, slightly floral odor and sweet taste reminiscent of honey. It is used in orange and citrus flavors.📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “Occasionally used in flavor compositions for imitation Orange, Citrus and Fruit (Tutti-frutti) flavors.”📖 Arctander |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 159 ppm📖 van Gemert |
Regulatory Status
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2296⚖️ 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: DTXSID2059277
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 204.269 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.02 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 300 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 26.276 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 128.532 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.537 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 199.918 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.458 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 3.458 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 3.458 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 6.9 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.002 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.009 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Viscosity | 4.867 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 36.375 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 | 5 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 62.449 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 24.757 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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