Menthyl acetate (CAS 16409-45-3) — Fresh Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
Menthyl acetate
CAS 16409-45-3
What Is Menthyl acetate?
Menthyl acetate is a synthetic cooling agent used in chewing gums, breath fresheners, and mint-flavored products. It provides that crisp, icy sensation associated with peppermint. This ingredient matters because it delivers long-lasting cooling without the bitterness of pure menthol, making it essential for fresh breath products and invigorating fragrances.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Menthyl acetate Smell Like?
Menthyl acetate bursts with an initial slap of polar ice – imagine inhaling deeply in a glacial mint field. The sharpness mellows into a creamy, almost vanilla-like sweetness over time, like peppermint ice cream softening on your tongue. Unlike raw menthol, it lacks medicinal harshness, leaving a smooth cooling trail that lingers without overwhelming.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used alongside dihydromyrcenol to amplify the aquatic freshness, creating the illusion of icy mountain streams through cooling contrast.
Provides sustained cooling without menthol’s harshness, allowing the citrus top notes to sparkle longer before transitioning.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC(C)C1CCC(C)CC1OC(C)=O
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Menthyl acetate is an ester derived from menthol and acetic acid. As a synthetic cooling agent, it’s produced through esterification reactions under controlled conditions. The compound exhibits stereochemistry effects – the (-)-menthyl form provides stronger cooling than its enantiomer. Industrial synthesis typically starts from turpentine-derived pinene.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Colorless liquid |
|---|---|
| Boiling Point | 227-229 °C |
| Density | 0.92 g/cm³ |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chewing Gum | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Provides sustained cooling release |
| Mouthwash | 0.05-0.2% | Up to 0.5% | Cooling without bitterness |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use below 1% to avoid numbing effects on skin.
Alternatives & Comparisons
When stronger cooling is needed without mint character. Used in sport fragrances and therapeutic patches.
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
Not restricted by IFRA. No usage limits apply.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safety at current use levels.
Sustainability
Synthetic production from turpentine byproducts makes this a sustainable choice versus natural extraction. The process utilizes renewable pine resources while avoiding agricultural land use.
Explore Menthyl acetate
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References
- PubChem Compound Summary for Menthyl acetate CID 16409
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID20859153
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 198.306 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.921 g/cm^3📊 OPERA |
| Boiling Point | 227 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 11.753 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 87.611 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.448 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 213.941 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4 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 | 0.001 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.103 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| 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.
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