Menthyl acetate (1alpha,2beta,5alpha) (CAS 89-48-5) — Green Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
Menthyl acetate (1alpha,2beta,5alpha)
CAS 89-48-5
What Is Menthyl acetate (1alpha,2beta,5alpha)?
Menthyl acetate is a synthetic cooling agent used in chewing gums, oral care products, and some fresh fragrances. It provides a crisp, minty sensation without the pungency of raw menthol. This ingredient matters because it creates long-lasting cooling effects in consumer products while being gentler than alternatives.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Menthyl acetate (1alpha,2beta,5alpha) Smell Like?
Menthyl acetate delivers an icy, crystalline mint character – imagine frozen peppermint leaves dipped in silver. Unlike crude menthol, it lacks medicinal harshness, presenting instead as a polished high-altitude freshness. The scent profile remains remarkably linear over time, fading to a clean, slightly sweet woody-mint trace after several hours.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used to amplify the aquatic mint accord, providing sustained cooling without overpowering the marine notes.
Contributes to the sparkling fresh top while blending seamlessly with lavender and citrus.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC(C)[C@@H]1CC[C@@H](C)C[C@H]1OC(C)=O
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Menthyl acetate is an ester derived from menthol and acetic acid. The (1alpha,2beta,5alpha) stereochemistry gives it superior cooling properties compared to other isomers. Industrial synthesis typically involves direct esterification of l-menthol under acidic conditions. The molecule’s rigid cyclohexane ring structure contributes to its stability in formulations.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 227-229 °C |
|---|---|
| Flash Point | 96 °C |
| Density | 0.92 g/cm³ |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Care | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Provides prolonged cooling |
| Chewing Gum | 0.05-0.2% | Up to 0.5% | Slow-release effect |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with cooling synergists like WS-3 for enhanced effect.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not restricted – IFRA Category 4, 5, and 6 compliant
RIFM Assessment
RIFM-reviewed with no significant safety concerns at typical use levels.
Sustainability
Synthesized from renewable menthol sources. Production involves standard esterification with minimal waste streams. Preferred over natural mint extracts for consistent quality and reduced agricultural impact.
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References
- PubChem Compound Summary for Menthyl acetate CID 16452
- Hallagan et al. (2019). Food and Chemical Toxicology Safety evaluation
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID9041817
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 198.306 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.926 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 230.367 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 228.5 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 83.1 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.448 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 213.941 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3336 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 4.248 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 4.248 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 5.88 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.123 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 5.493 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 29.141 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 123.772 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 | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 57.327 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 22.726 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.
