p-Methylanisole (CAS 104-93-8) — Sweet Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
p-Methylanisole
CAS 104-93-8
What Is p-Methylanisole?
p-Methylanisole is a synthetic aroma chemical used in perfumery to add sweet, anise-like nuances. It’s found in fragrances, flavored products, and some household items. This ingredient matters because it can enhance floral and spicy accords while providing stability in formulations.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does p-Methylanisole Smell Like?
p-Methylanisole offers a warm, sweet, and slightly medicinal aroma reminiscent of star anise or licorice. Initially sharp and phenolic, it quickly mellows into a smooth, balsamic heart with faint floral undertones. The dry-down reveals a persistent sweet-woody character that blends seamlessly with spices and vanillic notes.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used to enhance the oriental vanilla-anise accord, providing depth and sweetness that balances the citrus top notes.
Contributes to the powdery-anisic heart that defines this classic floral-oriental fragrance.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: COC1=CC=C(C)C=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
p-Methylanisole is a methoxybenzene derivative synthesized through methylation of p-cresol. This aromatic ether exhibits stability under normal perfumery conditions. The para-position of the methyl group relative to the methoxy group creates a distinct odor profile compared to its ortho and meta isomers.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 198 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.965 g/cm³ |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-5% | Up to 10% | Adds sweet-anisic nuances |
| Functional Fragrances | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Masking agent |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with citrus notes to create refreshing cologne effects.
Alternatives & Comparisons
When a more pronounced licorice character is desired, though it’s less stable in formulations.
For a greener, more herbal anisic note with similar chemical properties.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No specific IFRA restrictions. General guidelines for methoxybenzene derivatives apply.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM has evaluated p-methylanisole and found it safe for current use levels in fragrances.
Sustainability
Synthesized from petrochemical precursors, p-methylanisole has a stable supply chain. Synthetic production avoids agricultural impacts but depends on non-renewable resources. Biocatalytic production methods are being researched to improve sustainability.
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References
- PubChem Compound Summary for p-Methylanisole CID 7744
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 104-93-8Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 122.16 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.7🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 175.5 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 1.14 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 60 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.1112💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -1.528💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC1=CC=C(C=C1)OC🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Top💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Moderate💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 0.5 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | floralgreenleathernuttyphenolicsharpsweet• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | etheraromatic💻 RDKit |
| “Pungent, sharp-sweet odor when undiluted, Hyacinth-Wallflower-Ylang type odor when modestly diluted (concentrations below 5-6% in perfume composition), greener and more fruity when highly diluted, almost Marigold like.”📖 Arctander | |
| p- Methylanisole has a pungent odor suggestive of ylang-ylang.📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “Finds some use in flavor compositions, mainly in imitation Nut, Black Walnut, Walnut, Maple, Spice blends and certain Berry type flavors.”📖 Arctander |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 0 ppm📖 van Gemert |
Regulatory Status
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2681⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| GRAS Status | Generally Recognized as Safe⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| IOFI Classification | Nature Identical📖 Fenaroli |
Physical data: PubChem (NIH/NLM), U.S. EPA CompTox Dashboard, EPA OPERA models, RDKit. Odor & flavor: Arctander (Perfume & Flavor Chemicals), Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, Leffingwell. Thresholds: van Gemert (Compilations of Odour Threshold Values). Regulatory: IFRA Standards 51st, FEMA GRAS. Trade names: Surburg (Common Fragrance & Flavor Materials). All data compiled and cross-referenced for perfumertools.com.
Physicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID9026710
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 122.167 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.973 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 175.807 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -30.085 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 53.821 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.494 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 129.711 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.701 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 2.681 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 2.681 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 4.15 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.005 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 1.078 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 1.278 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 30.893 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 138.392 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 9.23 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 37.756 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 14.968 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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