Isopropyl Palmitate (CAS 142-91-6) — Citrus Heart Note Fragrance Ingredient
Isopropyl Palmitate
CAS 142-91-6
What Is Isopropyl Palmitate?
Isopropyl palmitate is a synthetic emollient widely used in cosmetics and personal care products like lotions and creams. It helps create smooth textures and enhances spreadability. As a non-greasy moisturizer, it’s valued for its ability to improve product feel without leaving residue, making it common in skincare formulations.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Isopropyl Palmitate Smell Like?
Isopropyl palmitate is almost odorless, presenting a neutral olfactory profile. Its lack of distinct scent makes it an ideal carrier in fragrance formulations where it functions primarily as a solvent or fixative without altering the intended aroma. In high concentrations, it may impart a faint, waxy character reminiscent of clean candle wax.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)OC(C)C
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Isopropyl palmitate is a fatty acid ester formed by the condensation of palmitic acid and isopropanol. It belongs to the class of organic compounds known as fatty acid esters. Industrially, it’s synthesized via esterification of palmitic acid with isopropyl alcohol under acidic conditions. The compound’s long hydrocarbon chain contributes to its emollient properties.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 160 °C at 2 mm Hg |
|---|---|
| Melting Point | 13.5 °C |
| Density | 0.852 g/mL at 25 °C |
| Refractive Index | 1.4364 at 25 °C |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.0000559 mmHg |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetics | 1-5% | Up to 10% | Primary emollient function |
| Fragrance Carrier | 2-8% | Up to 15% | Neutral solvent base |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use as a neutral base for extending fragrance longevity without contributing to scent profile.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Shorter chain alternative with similar properties but slightly different texture and spread characteristics.
Higher molecular weight ester with enhanced skin feel properties for premium formulations.
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 IFRA restrictions. Approved for use in all product categories.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safety for current use levels in cosmetics.
Sustainability
Synthesized from renewable palm oil derivatives, though sustainability depends on sourcing practices. Petrochemical synthesis routes also exist. Biodegradability is moderate due to ester linkage.
Explore Isopropyl Palmitate
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References
- PubChem. Isopropyl palmitate. CID 8907
- EWG Skin Deep. Isopropyl palmitate. EWG Review
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 142-91-6Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 298.5 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 8.2🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 160 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.0001 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 169 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | 1.301💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)OC(C)C🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Base💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 15.1 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | odorless• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | esterether💻 RDKit |
| “Virtually odorless and tasteless when pure. Commercial grades may occasionally show mildly fatty-oily odor and bland-oily taste, but they should not have any trace of rancid odor. The statement has often been made that the title material "can not become rancid because the chemical does not have any double”📖 Arctander | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “Virtually odorless and tasteless when pure. Commercial grades may occasionally show mildly fatty-oily odor and bland-oily taste, but they should not have any trace of rancid odor. The statement has often been made that the title material "can not become rancid because the chemical does not have any ”📖 Arctander |
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: DTXSID9027104
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 298.511 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.852 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 342 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 12.875 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 164.533 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.443 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 346.023 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 8.243 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 8.243 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 8.243 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 8.67 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 6.765 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 29.083 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 147.03 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 | 15 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 91.807 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 36.395 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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