Cinnamyl cinnamate (CAS 122-69-0) — Sweet Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Cinnamyl cinnamate
CAS 122-69-0
What Is Cinnamyl cinnamate?
Cinnamyl cinnamate is a synthetic fragrance molecule with a warm, balsamic character. Commonly found in perfumes and scented candles, it adds a rich, spicy-sweet depth. This ingredient matters because it mimics natural cinnamon notes without sustainability concerns of harvesting cinnamon bark, while offering perfumers precise control over scent profiles.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Cinnamyl cinnamate Smell Like?
Cinnamyl cinnamate unfolds like a sun-warmed spice market – initial bursts of golden cinnamon sticks mellow into creamy vanilla undertones. Over hours, it develops a polished woodiness reminiscent of antique furniture, with a faint floral whisper that keeps the sweetness from becoming cloying. The drydown is a comforting embrace of ambered spices.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used as a cinnamon-vanilla bridge between sharp bergamot top notes and smooth tobacco base. Provides continuous warmth throughout the fragrance evolution.
Forms the balsamic heart that balances floral aldehydes with oriental resins. Creates the illusion of natural cinnamon oil without volatility issues.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: O=C(OCC=CC1=CC=CC=C1)C=CC1=CC=CC=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Cinnamyl cinnamate is an ester formed from cinnamic alcohol and cinnamic acid. While found naturally in some resins, commercial production typically involves Fischer esterification under acidic conditions. The trans-configuration is favored for fragrance use due to its superior stability and odor characteristics. Recent advances use enzymatic synthesis for greener production.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | ~198 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | ~1.05 g/cm³ |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 2-5% | Up to 10% | Oriental and gourmand bases |
| Home Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Candle wax compatibility |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with citrus top notes to prevent heaviness in warm-weather fragrances.
Alternatives & Comparisons
When a brighter, more volatile cinnamon note is needed. Lacks the creamy depth of the ester.
Offers similar profile with slightly fruitier top notes and better solubility in alcohol bases.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not restricted under IFRA 49th Amendment. Recommended maximum 5.8% in leave-on products.
EU Allergen Declaration
Not listed in EU allergen regulations.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment complete – no significant safety concerns at current usage levels.
Sustainability
Synthetic production avoids pressure on cinnamon tree populations. Modern catalytic methods reduce energy use compared to traditional esterification. Biodegradability studies show moderate environmental persistence.
Explore Cinnamyl cinnamate
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References
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID7047647
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 264.324 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.113 g/cm^3📊 OPERA |
| Boiling Point | 370 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 44 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 257.021 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.631 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 235.765 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4.45 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 4.272 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 4.272 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 8.52 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 45.714 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 | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 84.011 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 33.304 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.
