Hexyl Cinnamate (CAS 2216-69-5) — Floral Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
Hexyl Cinnamate
CAS 2216-69-5
What Is Hexyl Cinnamate?
Hexyl cinnamate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient commonly found in perfumes, soaps, and body care products. It contributes a sweet, floral, and slightly fruity aroma that enhances many cosmetic formulations. This ester is valued for its ability to add warmth and longevity to fragrances, making scents more persistent on the skin.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFE
What Does Hexyl Cinnamate Smell Like?
Hexyl cinnamate offers a rich, sweet, and floral aroma with subtle fruity undertones reminiscent of ripe peaches and jasmine. Initially, it presents a bright, slightly citrusy top note that quickly evolves into a warm, honeyed floral heart. The dry-down is smooth and persistent, leaving a soft, balsamic trail that blends seamlessly with woody and musky base notes. Its versatility makes it a favorite for adding depth and longevity to floral and oriental compositions.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Hexyl cinnamate enhances the floral bouquet, adding warmth and persistence to the iconic aldehydic floral composition.
Used to amplify the fruity-floral heart, providing a smooth, honeyed richness that complements the ylang-ylang and rose.
Adds a sweet, floral depth to the explosive floral accord, enhancing its longevity and warmth.
Contributes to the gourmand floral profile, blending seamlessly with vanilla and patchouli for a persistent trail.
Used to soften the bold coffee and vanilla notes, adding a floral sweetness that balances the composition.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: COC1=C2C=CC=CC2=CC=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Hexyl cinnamate is an ester formed from hexanol and cinnamic acid. It belongs to the class of aromatic esters, known for their sweet and floral odor profiles. Synthetically produced, it is commonly used in perfumery for its stability and pleasant scent. The esterification process typically involves acid catalysis, resulting in high purity and consistent quality. Its molecular structure features a hexyl group attached to a cinnamate moiety, contributing to its solubility in alcohol and oils, making it ideal for fragrance formulations.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | Not available |
|---|---|
| Density | Not available |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-5% | Up to 10% | Adds warmth and persistence |
| Soap | 0.5-2% | Up to 3% | Enhances floral notes |
| Detergents | 0.1-1% | Up to 2% | Provides mild floral character |
| Body Lotions | 0.5-3% | Up to 5% | Adds sweet floral depth |
Classic Accords
+ Rose + Jasmine = Floral Bouquet
+ Citrus + Musk = Fresh Floral
Tip: Use hexyl cinnamate to enhance floral and oriental accords, providing warmth and longevity.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Offers a similar sweet floral character but with more balsamic depth, ideal for oriental compositions.
Provides a richer, honeyed floral note, suitable for more intense floral fragrances.
Delivers a spicier, more vibrant floral note, useful for adding lift to top notes.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. IFRA, REACH, EU Cosmetics Regulation standards update periodically. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating. Not legal or regulatory advice.
IFRA Status
No restrictions under IFRA standards.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM has evaluated hexyl cinnamate and found it safe for use in current practices.
Sustainability
Hexyl cinnamate is synthetically produced, ensuring consistent quality and reducing reliance on natural resources. Its production involves efficient chemical processes with minimal environmental impact. As a synthetic ingredient, it avoids issues related to overharvesting or biodiversity loss associated with natural extracts.
Explore Hexyl Cinnamate
Browse essential oils and aroma compounds.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Industry & Science Data
References
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Physicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID5062263
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 158.2 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.09 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 269 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 5 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 103.168 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.604 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 147.552 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.45 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 3.479 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 3.479 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 5.55 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.008 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Viscosity | 5.272 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 39.569 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 131.247 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 9.23 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 50.774 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 20.128 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.
