Guaiyl acetate (CAS 134-28-1) — Woody Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Guaiyl acetate
CAS 134-28-1
What Is Guaiyl acetate?
Guaiyl acetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient used primarily in woody and smoky perfume compositions. Consumers encounter it in masculine colognes and niche fragrances aiming for dry, resinous effects. This molecule matters because it provides a cost-effective alternative to natural guaiacwood oil, offering perfumers precise control over woody-ambery accords without sustainability concerns associated with harvesting rare trees.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does Guaiyl acetate Smell Like?
Guaiyl acetate delivers a dry, pencil-shaving woodiness with subtle smoky undertones reminiscent of aged cedar chests. The opening carries a faintly medicinal, camphoraceous edge that quickly settles into a smooth woody heart. Unlike natural guaiacwood oil, it lacks the leathery depth but offers superior stability in soap bases. The dry-down reveals a clean, slightly sweet amber character that blends seamlessly with sandalwood and vetiver materials.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used here to amplify the incense theme with its dry, pencil-wood character, complementing the frankincense without adding sweetness.
Provides structural woody support to the leather accord, adding a polished wood counterpoint to the raspberry and saffron.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: C[C@H]1CCC2=C1C[C@@H](CC[C@@H]2C)C(C)(C)OC(C)=O
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Guaiyl acetate is a synthetic sesquiterpene ester derived from guaiol, a constituent of guaiacwood oil. Commercial production typically involves esterification of guaiol with acetic anhydride. The molecule lacks chirality centers, making stereochemical control unnecessary during synthesis. Its stability comes from the fully hydrogenated ring system, unlike more reactive terpenes. The acetate group enhances volatility compared to free guaiol while maintaining good tenacity.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow liquid |
|---|---|
| Boiling Point | ~280 °C (estimated) |
| Density | ~0.98 g/cm³ (estimated) |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Woody base note modifier |
| Functional Fragrance | 0.5-1% | Up to 2% | Soap and detergent stability |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with ionones to create a smooth sandalwood illusion without the cost of natural materials.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Natural alternative with richer complexity but variable composition and sustainability concerns.
More diffusive woody-amber material when projection is needed, though less dry in character.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No IFRA restrictions under Amendment 49. Considered safe at current industry usage levels.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM evaluation complete – no significant concerns at current exposure levels.
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, guaiyl acetate offers consistent quality without depleting natural guaiacwood resources. Production typically uses petrochemical feedstocks, though bio-based routes are being explored. The esterification process generates minimal waste compared to natural oil extraction methods.
Explore Guaiyl 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
- Bauer et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH.
- Arctander, S. (1969). Perfume and Flavor Chemicals. Allured Publishing.
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPerfumer’s Notes
Guaiol acetate has a faint but lasting rose odor and sweet taste suggestive of currant. It is not very stable.
Odor: [‘earthy’, ‘floral’, ‘rose’, ‘sweet’, ‘tea’, ‘woody’]
MW: 264.4
LogP: 3.6
Ingredient Data Sheet
CAS 134-28-1Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 264.4 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.6🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 326 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 104 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -1.757💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC1CCC(CC2=C1CCC2C)C(C)(C)OC(=O)C🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Base💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 11.5 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | earthyfloralrosesweetteawoody• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | esteretheralkene💻 RDKit |
| “Delicately sweet-woody, soft and warm Guaiyl acetate is used in Tobacco and fruit odor reminiscent of Patchouli and Tearose. The total absence of Prod.: by Acetylation of Guaiacwood or “’smoked-ham” notes is of imperative signific- the isolated sesquiterpene fraction (Guaiol) ance to the beauty of the odor of Guaiyl of same, Acetylation of pure, extracted Guaiol acetate.”📖 Arctander | |
| Guaiol acetate has a faint but lasting rose odor and sweet taste suggestive of currant. It is not very stable.📖 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: DTXSID7051684
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 264.409 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.983 g/cm^3📊 OPERA |
| Boiling Point | 312.467 °C📊 OPERA |
| Melting Point | 24.715 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 124.609 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.49 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 269.602 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4.737 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 4.737 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 4.737 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 8.41 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 | 5.264 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 31.534 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 128.636 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 | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 77.923 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 30.891 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.
Related Research
- alpha,2,2,3-tetramethylcyclopent-3-ene-1-butyraldehyde (CAS 65114-03-06) — Green Top to Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
- Methyl mercaptan (CAS 74-93-1) — Musky Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
- Dextrin (CAS 9004-53-9) — Citrus None Note Fragrance Ingredient
- Methyl 3,7-dimethyl-6-octenoate (CAS 2270-60-2) — Citrus Top to mid Note Fragrance Ingredient
![4-Penten-1-one, 1-spiro[4.5]dec-6-en-7-yl- (CAS 224031-71-4) — Green Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient](https://thegoodscents.company/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/4-penten-1-one-1-spiro-4-5-dec-6-en-7-yl-1-1-768x439.webp)