Methyl Salicylate (CAS 119-36-8) — Sweet Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
Methyl Salicylate
CAS 119-36-8
What Is Methyl Salicylate?
Methyl salicylate is the compound responsible for the wintergreen scent found in candies, chewing gums, and topical pain relievers like Bengay. It’s nature’s version of wintergreen, originally extracted from plants but now commonly synthesized. This ingredient matters because it bridges medicinal and gourmand worlds—its cooling, minty aroma signals relief in balms while adding a nostalgic candy-shop sweetness to fragrances.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESS
What Does Methyl Salicylate Smell Like?
Methyl salicylate bursts with an intense, almost metallic sweetness reminiscent of crushed wintergreen leaves—a hyperrealistic blend of peppermint oil and root beer. The opening has a cooling, medicinal sharpness that quickly mellows into a warm, candy-like sweetness. Unlike true mint oils, it lacks herbaceousness, instead developing a smooth, vanillic undertone during dry-down. In high concentrations, it can smell like a pharmacy counter; properly diluted, it evokes nostalgic memories of holiday candies and vintage soda fountains.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used as a bold top note to amplify the fragrance’s signature sweet-oriental character, methyl salicylate provides an unexpected wintergreen twist that cuts through the dense honey and tobacco base.
Here it adds a playful, candy-like dimension to the hazelnut-vanilla accord, creating a gourmand effect that’s both comforting and slightly medicinal—like a sophisticated cough drop.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: COC(=O)C1=C(O)C=CC=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Methyl salicylate is an ester formed from salicylic acid and methanol. Naturally occurring in wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) and sweet birch (Betula lenta), it’s now primarily synthesized via esterification of salicylic acid. The molecule’s simple structure—a benzene ring with ester and hydroxyl groups—gives it both volatility for top notes and tenacity from the aromatic ring. Its chirality (the natural form is R-(-)-methyl salicylate) influences odor perception, with synthetic racemic mixtures often smelling harsher than the naturally derived material.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 222 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.174 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.535-1.538 |
| Flash Point | 96 °C |
| Solubility | 1.4 g/L in water |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Adds sweet-minty lift |
| Functional Products | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | For analgesic/masking effects |
| Flavorings | 0.01-0.1% | Up to 0.2% | Wintergreen flavor enhancer |
Classic Accords
+ Peppermint + Eucalyptus = Medicinal
+ Tobacco + Honey = Oriental
Tip: Use traces to brighten vanilla-heavy bases without overpowering; pairs exceptionally well with coumarin derivatives.
Alternatives & Comparisons
A softer, fruitier alternative with less medicinal sharpness; lasts longer in the dry-down but lacks the iconic wintergreen punch.
Even more diffusive with a clean, almost laundry-like character; useful when a less gourmand effect is desired.
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 under IFRA standards, though recommended maximum use level is 0.6% in leave-on products due to sensitization potential (IFRA 49th Amendment).
EU Allergen Declaration
Not listed as an EU-regulated allergen.
GHS Classification
H315 Causes skin irritation
H319 Causes serious eye irritation
RIFM Assessment
RIFM evaluation confirms safe use at current industry levels, with a recommended dermal limit of 0.2 mg/cm² based on sensitization data.
Sustainability
While naturally derived methyl salicylate exists (primarily from wintergreen oil), over 95% of global supply is synthesized from petrochemical-derived salicylic acid. Sustainable routes using fermentation-derived salicylic acid are emerging. The synthetic process has moderate environmental impact due to methanol usage, but the molecule’s potency means minimal quantities are needed in formulations.
Explore Methyl Salicylate
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Industry & Science Data
References
- Burdock, G.A. (2010). Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. CRC Press. ISBN 9781420090869
- PubChem Compound Summary for Methyl Salicylate CID 4133
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Physicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID5025659
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 152.149 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.18 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 222.891 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -8.321 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 95.014 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.547 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 125.756 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.55 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 2.492 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 2.486 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 6.55 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.016 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole🔬 EPA CTX |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.076 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 6.706 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 42.445 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 149.393 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 46.53 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 3 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 39.908 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 15.821 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.
