Methyl beta-phenylglycidate (CAS 37161-74-3) — Sweet Heart Note Fragrance Ingredient
Methyl beta-phenylglycidate
CAS 37161-74-3
What Is Methyl beta-phenylglycidate?
Methyl beta-phenylglycidate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that creates a sweet, fruity aroma reminiscent of strawberries. You’ll encounter it in berry-flavored candies, fruity perfumes, and some gourmand fragrances. This molecule matters because it delivers an intense, photorealistic strawberry note that’s more stable than natural extracts, allowing consistent performance in various products.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does Methyl beta-phenylglycidate Smell Like?
Methyl beta-phenylglycidate bursts with an ultra-concentrated strawberry jam aroma – think reduced berry syrup with caramelized sugar edges. The top note has a bright, almost effervescent quality like carbonated strawberry soda. As it evolves, the sweetness deepens into a velvety compote character with hints of vanilla and rosewater. The dry-down reveals a subtle green nuance, like strawberry leaves crushed between fingers, adding dimensionality to what could otherwise be a one-dimensional candy note.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
This photorealistic fragrance uses methyl beta-phenylglycidate as its core note to replicate sun-warmed strawberries with uncanny accuracy, boosted by trace gamma-decalactone for creaminess.
Used sparingly here to add jammy fruitiness to the vanilla-orchid heart, creating a gourmand floral effect without descending into candy-like sweetness.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: COC(=O)C1OC1C1=CC=CC=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Methyl beta-phenylglycidate belongs to the glycidate ester class, synthesized through epoxidation of methyl cinnamate followed by hydrolysis. The beta-phenyl substitution creates exceptional odor potency – detectable at 5 ppb. While chiral centers exist, commercial material is typically racemic. Its stability comes from the epoxide ring which resists hydrolysis better than simple esters, making it valuable for soap and detergent formulations where longevity matters.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 285 °C (estimated) |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.12 g/cm³ (estimated) |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Powerful modifier for fruity accords |
| Functional Fragrance | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Strawberry note in soaps/detergents |
Classic Accords
Tip: Balance with green notes (stemone) to prevent cloying sweetness in high concentrations.
Alternatives & Comparisons
The ethyl ester version with slightly more candied character, preferred when brighter top notes are needed.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No IFRA restrictions (as of Amendment 49).
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safe use at current industry levels.
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, production avoids agricultural land use. Modern manufacturing routes minimize solvent waste through catalytic processes. Being highly potent reduces transportation footprint per odor unit compared to natural extracts.
Explore Methyl beta-phenylglycidate
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References
- Bauer et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH.
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID80865851
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 178.187 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.187 g/cm^3📊 OPERA |
| Boiling Point | 239.992 °C📊 OPERA |
| Melting Point | 25.569 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 106.579 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.546 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 146.079 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 1.703 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 1.703 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 1.703 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 5.86 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.029 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.009 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Viscosity | 5.215 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 43.966 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 38.83 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 3 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 46.223 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 18.324 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.
