Isopropoxy ethyl salicylate (CAS 79915-74-5) — Floral Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Isopropoxy ethyl salicylate
CAS 79915-74-5
What Is Isopropoxy ethyl salicylate?
Isopropoxy ethyl salicylate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient often used in modern perfumes and body care products for its fresh, floral, and slightly herbal character. You may encounter it in air fresheners, fabric conditioners, and personal fragrances. This molecule matters because it provides a clean, long-lasting floral note that blends well with both citrus and woody accords, making it versatile in contemporary fragrance design.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Isopropoxy ethyl salicylate Smell Like?
Isopropoxy ethyl salicylate opens with a crisp, green-floral burst reminiscent of freshly crushed geranium leaves. The initial sharpness quickly softens into a radiant, dewy floral heart with subtle rosy undertones. As it dries down, it reveals a clean, slightly powdery finish with a whisper of herbal freshness, like morning dew on sun-warmed foliage. The overall effect is transparent yet persistent, with a modern soapy-clean character that lingers close to the skin.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used here to enhance the powdery-floral iris core with a modern green freshness, creating a crisp contrast to the warm, woody base notes.
Contributes to the crystalline floralcy of this aquatic masterpiece, adding dimensionality to the lotus accord while maintaining transparency.
Provides the sparkling green-floral lift that defines this fragrance’s energetic character, bridging citrus top notes to woody base.
Used sparingly to reinforce the clean, sun-drenched floralcy, adding a dewy freshness to the crisp citrus accord.
Blends seamlessly with the green mango note, contributing to the fragrance’s impression of sunlit foliage and water reflections.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC(C)OCCOC(=O)C1=CC=CC=C1O
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Isopropoxy ethyl salicylate belongs to the family of salicylate esters, known for their floral-green odor characteristics. While not found in nature, it is structurally related to naturally occurring salicylates like methyl salicylate (wintergreen). The isopropoxy and ethyl groups attached to the phenolic ring modify the volatility and odor profile compared to simpler salicylates. Synthesis typically involves esterification of salicylic acid derivatives with isopropoxy ethanol under acidic conditions. The branched isopropoxy group increases steric hindrance, contributing to the material’s stability and prolonged olfactive performance in formulations.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Clear colorless to pale yellow liquid |
|---|---|
| Boiling Point | Estimated 250-280°C |
| Density | Approx. 1.05-1.10 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | Approx. 1.50-1.52 |
| Solubility | Soluble in alcohol, oils; insoluble in water |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 5% | For floral-green accents |
| Personal Care | 0.5-1.5% | Up to 2% | Clean, fresh character |
| Functional Products | 0.2-0.8% | Up to 1% | Fabric care applications |
| Home Care | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 0.8% | Air freshener formulations |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with ionones to create sophisticated floralcy or with calone for modern aquatic effects.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Offers similar floral-green character but with greater diffusion and slightly more pronounced rosy aspects.
More straightforward floral-green profile with excellent stability in soap bases.
Milder, more balsamic floral character with fixative properties for base notes.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not currently restricted under IFRA standards. General salicylate precautions apply.
RIFM Assessment
No specific RIFM assessment available. Considered safe at current usage levels based on structural analogs.
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, isopropoxy ethyl salicylate has consistent quality and avoids agricultural impacts. Production typically uses petrochemical feedstocks, though green chemistry approaches may reduce environmental footprint. The material’s efficiency at low concentrations contributes to reduced overall fragrance load in products.
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References
- Burdock, G.A. (2010). Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. CRC Press. ISBN 9781420090772
- Arctander, S. (1969). Perfume and Flavor Chemicals. Allured Publishing. Allured Books
- Salicylate esters in modern perfumery. (2018). Perfumer & Flavorist, 43(3), 32-41. P&F Journal
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID0052546
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 224.256 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.096 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 287.85 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 50.787 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 154 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.518 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 198.522 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.25 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 2.839 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 2.796 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 9.2 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.005 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.002 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 20.094 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 39.458 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 145.956 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 55.76 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 4 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 5 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 60.143 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 23.843 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.
