Linalyl formate (CAS 115-99-1) — Citrus Top to middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Linalyl formate
CAS 115-99-1
What Is Linalyl formate?
Linalyl formate is a floral-fruity ester commonly used in perfumery for its fresh, bergamot-like aroma with a hint of lavender. It’s found in many body care products and fine fragrances. This synthetic ingredient provides a cost-effective and consistent alternative to natural sources, making it popular in mass-market formulations.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Linalyl formate Smell Like?
Linalyl formate opens with a bright, citrusy burst reminiscent of bergamot, quickly softening into a floral heart that carries subtle lavender nuances. The dry-down reveals a clean, slightly herbal character with a whisper of sweet fruitiness. Like a sun-drenched orchard meeting a spring garden, it bridges citrus and floral worlds with effortless grace.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used to enhance the citrus-floral duality, contributing to its timeless freshness.
Adds a subtle floral lift to the citrus top notes, increasing diffusion.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC(C)=CCCC(C)(OC=O)C=C
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Linalyl formate is an ester formed from linalool and formic acid. It’s typically synthesized via esterification under acidic conditions. While found in small quantities in some essential oils, commercial production is almost entirely synthetic for consistency and cost-effectiveness.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 198 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.865 g/cm³ |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-5% | Up to 10% | Adds freshness to citrus-floral compositions |
| Body Care | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Provides uplifting floral-citrus character |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use to bridge citrus and floral notes while adding diffusion.
Alternatives & Comparisons
When a less esterified, more floral character is desired.
For a similar but fruitier profile with higher volatility.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No restrictions under current IFRA standards.
EU Allergen Declaration
Not listed as an EU allergen.
RIFM Assessment
Considered safe as used in current fragrance applications by RIFM.
Sustainability
Synthetic production avoids agricultural impacts but relies on petrochemical feedstocks. New bio-based routes are being explored to improve sustainability.
Explore Linalyl formate
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References
- PubChem Compound Summary for Linalyl formate PubChem CID
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID2047642
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 182.263 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.915 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 200 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -64.799 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 88 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.451 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 202.348 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2571.855 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 3.614 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 3.614 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 5 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0.001 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.199 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 1.833 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 27.791 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 132.381 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 | 6 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 54.534 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 21.619 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.
