(E)-2-Hexenyl Formate (CAS 53398-78-0) — Top Note Fragrance Ingredient

ByThe Good Scents



green

(E)-2-Hexenyl Formate

CAS 53398-78-0

Note
top
Volatility
high
MW
128.2
Data as of: Jun 2026

What Is (E)-2-Hexenyl Formate?

(E)-2-Hexenyl Formate (CAS 53398-78-0) is an aroma chemical used as a fragrance and flavour ingredient. Its odour is described as apple, banana and fresh, placing it within the green family as a top note with high volatility. With a molecular weight of 128.2 (formula C7H12O2), it is handled by perfumers as a building block for compositions where a apple character is desired. The data below is compiled from public chemical and regulatory sources.

Safety Profile

HANDLE WITH CARE

Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
CAS
53398-78-0
Formula
C7H12O2
MW
128.2
InChIKey
SLWYMCAVYPZTRN-SNAWJCMRSA-N
(E)-2-Hexenyl Formate 2D structure

(E)-2-Hexenyl Formate
C7H12O2
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does (E)-2-Hexenyl Formate Smell Like?

The odour profile of (E)-2-Hexenyl Formate is reported as apple, banana, fresh, fruity, green, sharp. The dominant facet is its apple character, with the remaining notes adding nuance and complexity. As a top note it contributes to the opening of a fragrance. Perceived intensity and exact character depend on concentration, the carrier and the surrounding accord.

Scent Profile

Profile derived from public odour-descriptor data; relative, not absolute.

Layer 2

Chemistry & Properties

The Chemistry

(E)-2-Hexenyl Formate has the molecular formula C7H12O2 and a molecular weight of 128.2 g/mol. Its canonical SMILES representation is CCC\C=C\COC=O. Its reported log P (XLogP) of 1.52 indicates a moderately polar molecule, which informs how it partitions in a formula. Physical constants below are drawn from PubChem and EPA CompTox public datasets.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Molecular Weight 128.2 g/mol
Boiling Point 164.4 °C
Melting Point -55.71 °C
Flash Point 57.86 °C
Density 0.7786 g/cm³
Vapor Pressure 2.82 mmHg
Water Solubility 0.012 g/L
XLogP 1.52

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Top
Volatility
High
Primary Odour
Apple

Alternatives & Comparisons

Ingredients occupying a similar odour space — useful as substitutes or companions when (E)-2-Hexenyl Formate is unavailable or restricted.

1
hex-2-enyl acetate CAS 10094-40-3

Shares apple, banana, fresh character — a candidate substitute or companion in the same odour space.

2
trans-2-Nonenyl Acetate CAS 30418-89-4

Shares apple, banana, fruity character — a candidate substitute or companion in the same odour space.

3
hex-3-enyl acetate CAS 1708-82-3

Shares green, fruity, banana character — a candidate substitute or companion in the same odour space.

Layer 3

Safety & Regulatory

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

General reference only. IFRA, REACH and EU Cosmetics Regulation standards update periodically. Consult the current IFRA Standards Library before formulating. Not legal or regulatory advice.

IFRA Status

No IFRA restriction recorded in the data set. This is not a guarantee of unrestricted status — always confirm against the current IFRA Standards Library.

GHS Classification

Signal word: Warning

H226
Formulating with (E)-2-Hexenyl Formate?

Open (E)-2-Hexenyl Formate in Fragrance Studio (Pro) for the calibrated vapour-pressure curve, the modelled odour-threshold estimate, and the substitute-matching engine across 2,900+ aromachemicals.

Open in Fragrance Studio →

Free · Web-based · No install required

References & Sources

  1. PubChem Compound Summary (NIH) — search by InChIKey
  2. EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard — physicochemical & fate data
  3. IFRA Standards Library (49th / 51st Amendment)
Sources: PubChem (NIH) · EPA CompTox · IFRA Standards Library · public GHS classification. Odour descriptors are original editorial summaries of public profiles, not reproduced from any single proprietary source.

Data: PubChem (NIH), EPA CompTox, IFRA. Last reviewed: Jun 2026.

Report a data error

Similar Posts