Ethyl salicylate (CAS 118-61-6) — Sweet Top to middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Ethyl salicylate
CAS 118-61-6
What Is Ethyl salicylate?
Ethyl salicylate is a sweet, wintergreen-like fragrance compound found in some perfumes and flavored products. It’s often used to create fresh, herbal or medicinal scent impressions. This ingredient matters because it adds a crisp, minty character to fragrances while also serving as a fixative to help other notes last longer on the skin.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does Ethyl salicylate Smell Like?
Ethyl salicylate bursts with an intense, candy-like wintergreen top note – imagine crushed peppermint leaves mixed with fresh-cut birch bark. This sharp, medicinal sweetness gradually softens into a more rounded herbal character, revealing subtle floral undertones. The dry-down presents a clean, powdery musk reminiscent of vintage toiletries, with just a whisper of camphoraceous coolness lingering for hours.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used as a key synthetic in this classic fougère, providing the signature minty-fresh barbershop accord that defines the fragrance’s masculine appeal.
Adds crispness to the citrus opening while blending seamlessly with birch tar to create the leather illusion in this American classic.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCOC(=O)C1=C(O)C=CC=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Ethyl salicylate is an ester formed from salicylic acid and ethanol. While found naturally in small amounts in wintergreen and some fruits, commercial production typically involves esterification of synthetic salicylic acid. The molecular structure features a benzene ring with adjacent ester and hydroxyl groups, creating both hydrophilic and lipophilic properties. This bifunctional nature allows it to act as both a fragrance and solvent in formulations.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 234 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.131 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.522 |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Adds fresh top notes |
| Functional Fragrance | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Mouthwash/shampoo applications |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use ethyl salicylate sparingly in floral compositions to add naturalistic ‘leafy’ freshness without overpowering delicate blossoms.
Alternatives & Comparisons
More intense wintergreen character, but with greater skin sensitization potential. Used when stronger medicinal effect is desired.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
IFRA 49th Amendment restricts to 0.5% in leave-on products due to sensitization potential.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safe use at IFRA-recommended levels with minimal sensitization risk.
Sustainability
Synthetic production avoids wild harvesting of wintergreen plants. The manufacturing process is energy intensive but produces high yields with minimal waste. Biodegradability studies show rapid breakdown in aquatic environments.
Explore Ethyl salicylate
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References
- Bickers et al. (2005). A risk assessment of ethyl salicylate. Food and Chemical Toxicology. PMID 15869825
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID1021958
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 166.176 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.128 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 233.675 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 1.4 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 107.367 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.539 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 142.263 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.963 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 2.968 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 2.968 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 7.55 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.001 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.076 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 7.965 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 41.126 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 147.408 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 46.53 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 3 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 44.541 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 17.657 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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