Phenylethyl isoamyl ether (CAS 56011-02-0) — Floral Top-Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Phenylethyl isoamyl ether
CAS 56011-02-0
What Is Phenylethyl isoamyl ether?
Phenylethyl isoamyl ether is a synthetic fragrance ingredient used to add a sweet, floral, and slightly fruity touch to perfumes and scented products. You might encounter it in floral perfumes, soaps, and air fresheners. This ingredient matters because it enhances floral bouquets with a smooth, powdery character, making scents more rounded and pleasant without being overpowering.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does Phenylethyl isoamyl ether Smell Like?
Phenylethyl isoamyl ether opens with a delicate, sweet floralcy reminiscent of rose petals dusted with powdered sugar. As it evolves, a subtle fruity nuance emerges, like ripe pears dipped in honey. The dry-down reveals a soft, powdery finish that lingers close to the skin, creating an intimate and comforting aura. Its smooth transition from bright florals to warm sweetness makes it a versatile blender for modern floral and oriental compositions.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used to soften the jasmine-quince accord, adding a powdery floral nuance that balances the fruity top notes.
Enhances the violet leaf and strawberry notes with a creamy, powdery floral effect.
Blends with iris and patchouli to create a smooth, velvety floral-oriental dry-down.
Adds a sweet, powdery texture to the explosive floral bouquet.
Used to modernize the rose accord with a soft, airy quality.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC(C)CCOCCC1=CC=CC=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Phenylethyl isoamyl ether is an aromatic ether synthesized through Williamson ether synthesis, combining phenethyl alcohol with isoamyl bromide. This synthetic molecule doesn’t occur naturally but mimics certain floral aspects found in rose and lilac. Its ether linkage provides stability and moderate volatility, making it useful as a top-to-middle note modifier. The isoamyl group contributes to its slightly fruity undertone, while the phenethyl moiety delivers the characteristic rosy floralcy.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow liquid |
|---|---|
| Boiling Point | ~230-240 °C (estimated) |
| Density | ~0.95 g/cm³ (estimated) |
| Solubility | Soluble in alcohol, oils; insoluble in water |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Floral modifier and blender |
| Soaps/Detergents | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Adds floral persistence |
| Candles | 0.5-2% | Up to 3% | Good thermal stability |
| Air Fresheners | 0.2-1% | Up to 2% | Provides soft floral diffusion |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with ionones to create sophisticated powdery floral effects that don’t become cloying.
Alternatives & Comparisons
For a simpler rosy note without the powdery-fruity facets, though less diffusive.
Offers similar floral-powdery effects but with greater tenacity in base notes.
Provides a greener, more herbal floral character with less powderiness.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not currently restricted by IFRA. Listed on IFRA Transparency List with no usage limitations.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM has reviewed this material and found it safe for current fragrance use levels.
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, phenylethyl isoamyl ether has consistent quality without natural sourcing constraints. Its production from petrochemical feedstocks raises typical synthetic fragrance environmental considerations, but its potency allows for low usage levels. Some manufacturers are exploring bio-based routes to phenethyl alcohol precursors to improve sustainability.
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References
- Bauer, K. et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH. DOI:10.1002/9783527618426
- IFRA Transparency List (2023). Phenylethyl isoamyl ether. IFRA Official
- Arctander, S. (1969). Perfume and Flavor Chemicals. Allured. OCLC 500465794
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 56011-02-0Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 192.3 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.7🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 109 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.033 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 117.5 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.0026💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -1.246💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC(C)CCOCCC1=CC=CC=C1🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Top💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 3 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | greensweettropical• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | etheraromatic💻 RDKit |
| “Powerful Rose-Hyacinth-like odor, somewhat earthy-green, not really pleasant in the pure state, but quite attractive and interesting when diluted.”📖 Arctander | |
Trade Names
| Anther (Givaudan).📖 Surburg |
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: DTXSID3052220
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 192.302 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.902 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 244 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -14.884 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 117.5 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.485 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 211.524 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.946 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 3.946 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 3.946 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 6.34 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0.001 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.026 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 3.858 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 31.998 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 132.121 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 | 6 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 60.67 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 24.052 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.
