Ethyl phenylacetate (CAS 101-97-3) — Sweet Heart Note Fragrance Ingredient
Ethyl phenylacetate
CAS 101-97-3
What Is Ethyl phenylacetate?
Ethyl phenylacetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient commonly found in perfumes, soaps, and food flavorings. It’s responsible for sweet, honey-like notes with floral undertones. This ester matters because it provides affordable, stable alternatives to natural floral absolutes while offering excellent blending properties for perfumers creating gourmand and floral accords.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Ethyl phenylacetate Smell Like?
Ethyl phenylacetate bursts with an intense honeyed sweetness reminiscent of orange blossom honey dripping from the comb. The initial impression carries subtle floral nuances of jasmine and narcissus, evolving into a creamy, lactonic character akin to condensed milk. As it dries down, it reveals a delicate powdery texture similar to orris root, with persistent sweet-woody undertones that anchor floral compositions beautifully. The tenacity is moderate, making it ideal for heart notes where its honeyed facets can interplay with both citrus top notes and woody base materials.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used as a honeyed floral bridge between the bright bergamot top and rich ylang-ylang heart, enhancing the perfume’s solar floral character without overpowering.
Provides the gourmand honey-coffee accord that defines this modern oriental, blending seamlessly with vanilla and patchouli for addictive sweetness.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCOC(=O)CC1=CC=CC=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Ethyl phenylacetate is an ester formed by the condensation of phenylacetic acid and ethanol. Industrially produced via acid-catalyzed esterification, this achiral molecule exhibits excellent stability across pH ranges. The phenyl ring provides aromatic character while the ester group contributes volatility and sweetness. Modern synthesis often employs zeolite catalysts for greener production. Unlike some floral compounds, it resists hydrolysis in cosmetic formulations, making it valuable for long-lasting floral-honey effects.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 227 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.033 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.498-1.502 |
| Flash Point | 107 °C |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-5% | 0.5-10% | Floral-honey modifier |
| Soap | 0.5-2% | 0.1-3% | Stable in alkaline systems |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with ionones to create honeyed floral effects without cloying sweetness.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Offers similar honeyed notes but with greener, rosier facets when a fresher floral effect is desired.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No restrictions under IFRA 49th Amendment
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safe use at current industry levels.
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, ethyl phenylacetate reduces pressure on natural resources like honey and floral absolutes. Modern production methods minimize waste through efficient catalysis. Being petroleum-derived, its environmental impact depends on renewable energy use in manufacturing facilities.
Explore Ethyl phenylacetate
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References
- Bauer et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH. ISBN 9783527618429
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID6044353
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 164.204 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.031 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 227.286 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -29.233 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 95.941 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.502 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 158.746 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.298 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 2.323 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 2.323 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 5.23 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.006 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.156 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 2.986 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 35.129 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 142.608 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 | 3 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 46.843 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 18.57 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.
