Homomenthyl salicylate (CAS 118-56-9) — Balsamic Base Note Fragrance Ingredient
Homomenthyl salicylate
CAS 118-56-9
What Is Homomenthyl salicylate?
Homomenthyl salicylate is a synthetic sunscreen agent and fragrance ingredient commonly found in sunscreens, aftershaves, and summer-themed perfumes. It provides a subtle, fresh aroma while offering UV protection. This dual-purpose molecule matters because it combines functional sun protection with perfumery applications, allowing formulators to create products that smell pleasant while safeguarding skin from harmful rays.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does Homomenthyl salicylate Smell Like?
Homomenthyl salicylate presents a clean, slightly medicinal aroma reminiscent of sun-warmed skin after applying sunscreen. Its scent profile is subtle – a whisper of fresh linen with faint minty undertones that becomes almost imperceptible after dry-down. The molecule lacks the sharpness of traditional salicylates, instead offering a soft, powdery trail that blends seamlessly with citrus and marine accords.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used as a solar note to reinforce the fresh aquatic character while providing photoprotection to the fragrance formula.
Employed in the citrus-floral accord to create a sun-kissed effect without overpowering the delicate top notes.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC1CC(CC(C)(C)C1)OC(=O)C1=C(O)C=CC=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Homomenthyl salicylate is an ester formed from salicylic acid and homomenthol. As a synthetic molecule, it’s produced through esterification reactions under controlled conditions. The compound belongs to the class of organic sunscreens known as salicylates, which absorb UVB radiation. Its molecular structure features both aromatic and aliphatic components, giving it unique solubility properties that make it compatible with both polar and non-polar fragrance bases.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow liquid |
|---|---|
| Solubility | Soluble in alcohol and oils |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunscreen Products | 5-10% | Up to 15% | Primary UV filter |
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Solar accord component |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use in citrus colognes to create sun-care associations without altering the primary fragrance character.
Alternatives & Comparisons
More photostable with higher UV absorption but lacks the subtle fragrance qualities of homomenthyl salicylate.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not restricted by IFRA. Approved for use in all fragrance categories.
RIFM Assessment
Evaluated by RIFM in 2003 with no significant safety concerns at current usage levels.
Sustainability
As a synthetic ingredient, homomenthyl salicylate production avoids natural resource depletion. Modern manufacturing processes aim to minimize waste and energy consumption. Its UV-filtering properties contribute to skin cancer prevention, offsetting some environmental impacts of synthesis.
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References
- SCCS (2018). Opinion on Homomenthyl salicylate. EU SCCS Opinion
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPerfumer’s Notes
Odor: [‘medicinal’, ‘odorless’]
MW: 262.34
LogP: 5
Ingredient Data Sheet
CAS 118-56-9Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 262.34 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 5🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 161.1 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.0001 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 93.3 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -0.75💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC1CC(CC(C1)(C)C)OC(=O)C2=CC=CC=C2O🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Base💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 10.2 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | medicinalodorless• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | esterphenoletheraromatic💻 RDKit |
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: DTXSID1026241
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 262.349 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.048 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 229.078 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 73.432 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 170.799 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.539 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 237.271 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4.75 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 4.749 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 4.708 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 9.71 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 42.545 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 41.906 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 133.753 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 | 74.361 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 29.479 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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