Isoamyl cinnamate (CAS 7779-65-9) — Sweet Heart to base Note Fragrance Ingredient

Sweet · Floral

Isoamyl cinnamate

CAS 7779-65-9

Origin
synthetic
Note
Heart to base
IFRA
Generally safe
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is Isoamyl cinnamate?

Isoamyl cinnamate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with a rich, fruity-floral aroma reminiscent of ripe bananas and tropical flowers. You’ll encounter it in high-end perfumes, scented candles, and some fruity body care products. This versatile material adds depth and warmth to fragrance compositions. Its ability to bridge fruity and floral notes makes it valuable for creating complex accords that feel both familiar and luxurious.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
No significant restrictions in cosmetic use
Not classified as an allergen
CAS
7779-65-9
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Sweet · Floral
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Isoamyl cinnamate Smell Like?

Isoamyl cinnamate opens with an intense burst of banana-like sweetness, quickly revealing a lush tropical character that suggests overripe pineapple and gardenia petals. The heart develops a creamy, almost rum-like richness with subtle spicy undertones. As it dries down, the material maintains its fruity core while revealing a warm, balsamic vanilla-like base. The evolution is remarkably tenacious for a fruity material, transitioning smoothly from bright top notes to a comforting, gourmand-adjacent drydown that lingers on skin for hours.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Carnal Flower(Frederic Malle, 2005)

Used to amplify the tropical nuances of the tuberose, adding a forbidden-fruit dimension that contrasts with the cooler floral aspects.

Black Orchid(Tom Ford, 2006)

Provides the mysterious fruity undertone that blends with chocolate and dark florals to create its signature decadent effect.

La Vie Est Belle(Lancôme, 2012)

Contributes to the gourmand-floral accord, helping bridge the iris and praline notes with its banana-like sweetness.

Alien(Mugler, 2005)

Used sparingly to enhance the jasmine sambac’s tropical facets, adding depth to the solar floral composition.

Flowerbomb(Viktor & Rolf, 2005)

Provides a fruity counterpoint to the patchouli base, making the floral explosion more dimensional and addictive.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

Isoamyl cinnamate

SMILES: CC(C)CCOC(=O)C=CC1=CC=CC=C1

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

Isoamyl cinnamate is an ester formed from cinnamic acid and isoamyl alcohol. As a synthetic material, it’s typically produced via Fischer esterification, where the acid and alcohol react under acidic conditions. The molecule features an aromatic phenyl group from the cinnamic portion and a branched five-carbon chain from the isoamyl component, giving it both stability and volatility. While not known to occur naturally in significant quantities, related esters are found in various tropical fruits and flowers. The ester linkage makes it relatively stable in formulations, though it can hydrolyze under strongly alkaline conditions.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling Point~300 °C (estimated)
Density~1.0 g/cm³ (estimated)
Refractive Index~1.53 (estimated)
SolubilityInsoluble in water, soluble in alcohol and oils

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Heart to base
Volatility
Moderate (2-6 hours)
Blending
Excellent
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance1-3%Up to 5%Adds tropical fruity depth
Candles2-4%Up to 8%Provides warm diffusion
Soaps0.5-1.5%Up to 3%Stable in alkaline systems
Body Care0.2-1%Up to 2%Adds gourmand appeal

Classic Accords

+ Vanilla + Tonka = Tropical Gourmand + Jasmine + Ylang = Exotic Floral + Patchouli + Amber = Oriental Fantasy

Tip: Use with white musks to clean up any excessive sweetness while maintaining diffusion.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Benzyl cinnamate CAS 103-41-3

For a less fruity, more balsamic character with similar tenacity but less sweetness.

2
Ethyl cinnamate CAS 103-36-6

When a brighter, more sparkling fruity effect is needed with slightly higher volatility.

3
Cinnamyl acetate CAS 103-54-8

Offers a spicier profile while maintaining some of the tropical character.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.

IFRA Status

Not restricted under current IFRA standards (Amendment 49).

RIFM Assessment

Considered safe for use in current applications based on RIFM evaluation.

Sustainability

As a synthetic material, isoamyl cinnamate doesn’t rely on agricultural production. The petrochemical feedstocks can be replaced with bio-based alternatives as they become available. The synthesis process is relatively efficient with minimal hazardous byproducts. When compared to natural tropical fruit extracts, its consistent quality and yield make it an environmentally preferable choice in many applications.

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References

  1. Arctander, S. (1969). Perfume and Flavor Chemicals. Montclair, NJ.
  2. Bauer, K. et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH.
  3. Sell, C. (2006). The Chemistry of Fragrances. Royal Society of Chemistry.

Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.

Report a data error

Physicochemical Properties

DTXSID: DTXSID4025454

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight 218.296 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
Density 0.995 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX
Boiling Point 295.503 °C📊 OPERA
Melting Point 9.862 °C📊 OPERA
Flash Point 157.649 °C📊 OPERA
Refractive Index 1.531 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
Molar Volume 216.802 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 3.998 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 5.5) 3.998 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 7.4) 3.998 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 7.26 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
Water Solubility 0.001 mol/L📊 OPERA
Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

Transport Properties

Vapor Pressure 0.003 mmHg📊 OPERA
Surface Tension 35.751 dyn/cm📊 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 5 count💻 Computed
Aromatic Rings 1 count💻 Computed
Molar Refractivity 67.04 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
Polarizability 26.577 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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