Ethyl linolenate (CAS 1191-41-9) — Green Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient

Green · Woody

Ethyl linolenate

CAS 1191-41-9

Origin
synthetic
Note
Middle
IFRA
Generally safe
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is Ethyl linolenate?

Ethyl linolenate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient occasionally used in perfumery. It belongs to the ester family, contributing subtle green and fatty notes. You might encounter traces of it in some modern floral or woody fragrances. While not a dominant note, ethyl linolenate plays a supporting role in creating depth and complexity in certain perfume compositions.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
No major safety concerns reported
Not classified as an allergen
CAS
1191-41-9
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Green · Woody
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Ethyl linolenate Smell Like?

Ethyl linolenate presents a delicate interplay of green and fatty characteristics, reminiscent of crushed leaves with an underlying waxy nuance. The scent evolves subtly, starting with a faintly herbaceous top note that gradually reveals a soft, oily heart. In dry-down, it contributes a barely perceptible fatty-woody background that helps blend sharper notes. While not overpowering, it adds dimensionality when used in trace amounts.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

Ethyl linolenate

SMILES: CCOC(=O)CCCCCCC\C=C/C\C=C/C\C=C/CC

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

Ethyl linolenate is an ethyl ester of linolenic acid, belonging to the fatty acid ester class. While naturally occurring in some seed oils, the fragrance material is typically produced synthetically through esterification processes. The molecular structure features multiple double bonds that contribute to its subtle green character.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Middle
Volatility
Medium (2-4 hours)
Blending
Good
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance0.1-0.5%Up to 1%Background modifier
Functional Fragrance0.05-0.2%Up to 0.5%Green nuance enhancer

Classic Accords

+ Violet Leaf + Galbanum = Green Chypre + Cis-3-Hexenol + Stemone = Leafy Accord

Tip: Use sparingly to add depth to green compositions without overwhelming the formula.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Ethyl linoleate CAS 544-35-4

Similar fatty-green character with slightly less intensity, useful when a softer effect is desired.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.

IFRA Status

No IFRA restrictions apply.

RIFM Assessment

No specific RIFM assessment found for this material.

Sustainability

As a synthetic material, ethyl linolenate avoids agricultural sourcing concerns. Production typically uses petrochemical feedstocks, though bio-based routes may be possible through fermentation-derived ethanol and fatty acids.

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References

    Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.

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    Physicochemical Properties

    DTXSID: DTXSID6025307

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight 306.49 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
    Density 0.892 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX
    Boiling Point 362.291 °C📊 OPERA
    Melting Point -26.444 °C📊 OPERA
    Flash Point 100.8 °C🔬 EPA CTX
    Refractive Index 1.475 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
    Molar Volume 342.997 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

    Partition & Solubility

    LogP (Octanol-Water) 6.924 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogD (pH 5.5) 6.924 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogD (pH 7.4) 6.924 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 9.68 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
    Viscosity 4.811 cP📊 OPERA
    Surface Tension 28.867 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
    Thermal Conductivity 151.022 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 14 count💻 Computed
    Aromatic Rings 0 count💻 Computed
    Molar Refractivity 96.654 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
    Polarizability 38.317 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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