Citronellyl propionate (CAS 141-14-0) — Floral Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Citronellyl propionate
CAS 141-14-0
What Is Citronellyl propionate?
Citronellyl propionate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient commonly found in perfumes, soaps, and household products. It contributes a fresh, floral-citrus scent with fruity undertones. This ester is valued for its ability to enhance floral compositions while adding a natural, dewy freshness that mimics certain botanical extracts.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Citronellyl propionate Smell Like?
Citronellyl propionate opens with a bright burst of citrusy rose, like peeling a ripe tangerine near a bouquet of garden roses. The heart reveals a juicy peach nectar quality, softening into a clean, green-herbal drydown reminiscent of crushed geranium leaves. Unlike simpler citronellol derivatives, it carries exceptional diffusion – a single drop can fill a room with its dewy, morning-garden character that lingers for hours without becoming cloying.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used here to amplify the citrus-rose accord while adding a sporty freshness. The propionate ester’s fruity facets bridge between bergamot top notes and floral heart.
Provides the watery floralcy that defines this aquatic. Its moderate volatility helps sustain the lotus note without overwhelming delicate cyclamen.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCC(=O)OCCC(C)CCC=C(C)C
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Citronellyl propionate is an ester formed from citronellol and propionic acid. Industrially produced via acid-catalyzed esterification, it’s a staple of synthetic floral bases. The propionate group enhances fruity characteristics compared to the acetate analog. While chiral centers exist in citronellol, commercial material is typically racemic. Its balanced hydrophobicity (XLogP ~3.2) contributes to good tenacity in both alcohol and oil-based formulations.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 242 °C (estimated) |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.89 g/cm³ (estimated) |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-5% | Up to 10% | Floral modifier |
| Functional Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Soap/detergent stability |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use to add diffusion to rose bases – 0.5% can replace 2% citronellol while reducing waxiness.
Alternatives & Comparisons
More citrusy, less fruity. Preferred when brighter top notes are needed. Higher volatility.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not restricted under current IFRA standards (Amendment 49).
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safe use at current industry levels.
Sustainability
As a purely synthetic material, production avoids agricultural land use. Typical synthesis from petrochemical precursors carries standard hydrocarbon processing impacts. Biocatalytic production routes are being explored to reduce energy inputs.
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References
- Bauer et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH. ISBN 9783527600090
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID8047187
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 212.333 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.882 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 262.524 °C📊 OPERA |
| Melting Point | -41.652 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 91.791 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.444 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 240.398 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4.543 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 4.543 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 4.543 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 6.33 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.021 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Viscosity | 2.402 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 27.395 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 135.461 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 | 7 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 63.91 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 25.336 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.
