Eugenyl acetate (CAS 93-28-7) — Spicy Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Eugenyl acetate
CAS 93-28-7
What Is Eugenyl acetate?
Eugenyl acetate is a fragrance ingredient derived from clove oil, often found in spicy oriental perfumes and some food flavorings. It adds a warm, slightly sweet clove-like character with a smooth finish. This molecule matters because it bridges the gap between natural clove notes and modern synthetic accords, offering perfumers a stable, consistent alternative to raw clove essential oil.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Eugenyl acetate Smell Like?
Eugenyl acetate unfolds with an initial burst of warm, spicy clove – think whole cloves crushed between fingers with a hint of cinnamon stick sweetness. The heart reveals a polished woody-phenolic character, smoother than raw eugenol, with nuances reminiscent of carnation flowers. Dry-down leaves a faintly balsamic trail with whispers of dried allspice berries and distant pipe tobacco. Unlike harsh clove oil, it maintains elegance throughout evaporation.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Provides the smoothed clove backbone in this oriental masterpiece, blending with myrrh and vanilla to create the signature narcotic warmth.
Used sparingly to modify the lavender-citrus opening with subtle spicy depth before the animalic base emerges.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: COC1=C(OC(C)=O)C=CC(CC=C)=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Eugenyl acetate is the acetylated derivative of eugenol, belonging to the phenylpropanoid class. While naturally occurring in clove oil at ~2%, commercial production typically involves acetylation of isolated eugenol using acetic anhydride. The esterification tames eugenol’s harsh phenolic edge while preserving its warm spice character. The molecule lacks chirality but benefits from rigorous purification to remove residual eugenol and reaction byproducts.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 282 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.08 g/cm³ |
| Flash Point | >110 °C |
| Refractive Index | 1.520-1.525 |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Spice modifier |
| Soap | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Stable in alkaline systems |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use to soften harsh phenolic notes in clove or cinnamon compositions while maintaining spice character.
Alternatives & Comparisons
More floral and less phenolic, preferred when a smoother, carnation-like spice is desired without clove dominance.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No restrictions under IFRA standards. Listed in IFRA Transparency List with no usage limits.
EU Allergen Declaration
Not listed in EU allergen regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safe use at current industry levels.
Sustainability
Synthetic production from eugenol (itself often derived from clove oil) reduces pressure on natural clove supplies. Modern catalytic processes minimize waste in acetylation. Biotech routes using engineered yeast show promise for sustainable production.
Explore Eugenyl acetate
Browse essential oils and aroma compounds.
Browse on iHerb →Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
References
- Burdock, G.A. (2010). Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. CRC Press.
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 93-28-7Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 206.24 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.3🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 281 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.0003 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 142.5 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -2.325💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC(=O)OC1=C(C=C(C=C1)CC=C)OC🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Base💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 6.1 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | balsamicfruityspicysweet• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | esteretheralkenearomatic💻 RDKit |
| “Mild and sweet-spicy, balsamic-fruity odor, reminiscent of carnation. Earthy-fresh notes, or leafy-floral notes not uncommon.”📖 Arctander | |
| Eugenyl acetate has a characteristic odor reminiscent of clove oil, with a burning, aromatic flavor.📖 Fenaroli | |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 100 ppm📖 van Gemert |
Regulatory Status
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2469⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| GRAS Status | Generally Recognized as Safe⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| IOFI Classification | Nature Identical📖 Fenaroli |
Physical data: PubChem (NIH/NLM), U.S. EPA CompTox Dashboard, EPA OPERA models, RDKit. Odor & flavor: Arctander (Perfume & Flavor Chemicals), Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, Leffingwell. Thresholds: van Gemert (Compilations of Odour Threshold Values). Regulatory: IFRA Standards 51st, FEMA GRAS. Trade names: Surburg (Common Fragrance & Flavor Materials). All data compiled and cross-referenced for perfumertools.com.
Physicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID5052624
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 206.241 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.08 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 281.1 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 29.4 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 142.25 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.507 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 195.482 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.8 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 2.786 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 2.786 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 6.56 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.002 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.001 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 7.268 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 34.221 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 139.113 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 35.53 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 3 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 4 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 58.18 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 23.064 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.
![Ethanone, 1-(4,11,11,-trimethyl-8-methylenebicyclo[7.2.0]undec-4-enyl)-[1R-(1a,4E,9b] (CAS 70801-04-06) — Woody Base Note Fragrance Ingredient](https://thegoodscents.company/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/ethanone-1-1-11-768x439.webp)
