Ethyl 3-phenylglycidate (CAS 121-39-1) — Sweet Top to heart Note Fragrance Ingredient
Ethyl 3-phenylglycidate
CAS 121-39-1
What Is Ethyl 3-phenylglycidate?
Ethyl 3-phenylglycidate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient commonly found in strawberry-flavored products and fruity perfumes. It’s widely used in candies, beverages, and personal care items for its sweet, berry-like aroma. This molecule matters because it creates the quintessential ‘strawberry’ scent in mass-market products, offering an affordable and stable alternative to natural extracts. Its consistent performance makes it a workhorse in flavor and fragrance compounding.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does Ethyl 3-phenylglycidate Smell Like?
Ethyl 3-phenylglycidate bursts with an intense, jammy strawberry character—like reduced berry syrup with a candied edge. The top note has a slightly green, almost unripe fruit quality that quickly sweetens into a heart of cooked strawberry preserves. As it dries down, it reveals a subtle floral nuance and waxy undertone reminiscent of strawberry candies. The scent maintains remarkable tenacity for a fruity note, evolving slowly while retaining its core identity. When overdosed, it can develop a slightly plastic-like character that requires careful blending.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
This photorealistic strawberry scent uses ethyl 3-phenylglycidate as its backbone, creating an immediate impression of ripe berries without natural extract’s instability.
The molecule provides the candied strawberry accent that defines this gourmand, blending seamlessly with caramel and vanilla notes.
Used sparingly here to add a modern fruity lift to the floral bouquet, demonstrating its versatility beyond pure gourmand applications.
Contributes to the fruity opening that contrasts with the patchouli base, showing how it can bridge top and heart notes effectively.
Forms the berry core of this cult sweet fragrance, proving essential for creating recognizable candy-like accords.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCOC(=O)C1OC1C1=CC=CC=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Ethyl 3-phenylglycidate belongs to the glycidate ester class, synthesized through the Darzens condensation reaction between ethyl chloroacetate and benzaldehyde. The resulting molecule features a reactive epoxide ring that contributes to its stability and odor potency. While naturally occurring traces exist in some fruits, commercial production is entirely synthetic. The stereochemistry significantly impacts odor perception—the (R) enantiomer exhibits stronger strawberry character while the (S) form has greener notes. Industrial production typically yields a racemic mixture unless chiral catalysts are employed.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 272 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.12 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.512 |
| Flash Point | >100 °C |
| Solubility | Insoluble in water, soluble in alcohol |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Used sparingly for fruity accents |
| Functional Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 10% | Higher doses in shampoos and soaps |
| Flavor | 10-50 ppm | Up to 100 ppm | Strawberry flavor applications |
| Candles | 2-5% | Up to 8% | Performs well in hot throw |
Classic Accords
Tip: Combine with ionones to soften the candy-like edge and create more naturalistic berry effects.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Provides similar sweetening effects without the distinct strawberry character, useful when a more generic fruity note is desired.
Natural strawberry extract for high-end applications, though much less stable and more expensive.
Offers a caramelized strawberry note that works well in gourmand contexts where cooked fruit character is preferred.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No current IFRA restrictions. Listed on IFRA Transparency List with no usage limits specified.
EU Allergen Declaration
Not listed 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 for skin contact.
Sustainability
As a purely synthetic material, ethyl 3-phenylglycidate avoids agricultural supply chain issues. Production typically uses petrochemical feedstocks, though some manufacturers are exploring bio-based routes via fermentation-derived precursors. Its high potency reduces environmental load compared to natural extracts requiring large cultivation areas.
Explore Ethyl 3-phenylglycidate
Browse essential oils and aroma compounds.
Browse on iHerb →Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
References
- Bauer, K. et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH. ISBN 978-3-527-30364-6
- Sell, C. (2006). The Chemistry of Fragrances. RSC Publishing. ISBN 978-0-85404-824-3
- IFRA Transparency List (2023). IFRA Official
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID8025886
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 192.214 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.123 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 209.433 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 30.802 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 102 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.538 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 162.586 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.4 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 1.92 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 1.92 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 5.82 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.012 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.001 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 6.019 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 42.954 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 38.83 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 3 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 3 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 50.856 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 20.161 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.
![(Z,Z)-1,1′-[Ethylidenebis(oxy)]di(hex-3-ene) (CAS 63449-64-9) — Green Top to mid Note Fragrance Ingredient](https://thegoodscents.company/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/unnamed-file-108-768x439.webp)
