Santalyl acetate (CAS 1323-00-8) — Woody Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Santalyl acetate
CAS 1323-00-8
What Is Santalyl acetate?
Santalyl acetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient prized for its smooth, woody aroma reminiscent of sandalwood. You’ll encounter it in premium perfumes, candles, and body care products. This molecule matters because it provides a sustainable alternative to natural sandalwood oil, which is endangered and heavily regulated.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Santalyl acetate Smell Like?
Santalyl acetate opens with a crisp, slightly green woodiness that quickly settles into a velvety sandalwood heart. Unlike natural sandalwood oils, it lacks the buttery lactonic depth but compensates with remarkable clarity—imagine sunlight filtering through aged cedar planks. The dry down reveals a faintly musky, skin-like warmth that lingers close to the body.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used here to amplify the synthetic sandalwood accord, providing a modern, gender-neutral woody backbone that distinguishes it from traditional sandalwood fragrances.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC(=CCCC1(C2CCC(C2)C1=C)C)COC(=O)C.CC(=CCCC1(C2CC3C1(C3C2)C)C)COC(=O)C
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Santalyl acetate is an ester formed from santalol and acetic acid. While it occurs naturally in minute quantities in Santalum album, most commercial material is synthesized via esterification of santalols derived from sustainable sources. The synthetic route allows for consistent quality without depleting endangered sandalwood trees.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 264.4 g/mol |
|---|---|
| Boiling Point | 300 °C (estimated) |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 2-5% | Up to 10% | Woody accord enhancer |
| Home Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Sandalwood substitute |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use to extend natural sandalwood notes in restricted-budget briefs.
Alternatives & Comparisons
When a more diffusive sandalwood character is needed, though lacks the acetate’s smoothness.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No restrictions under IFRA 49th Amendment.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM-reviewed with no significant safety concerns at reported use levels.
Sustainability
Synthetic production avoids pressure on wild sandalwood populations. Most manufacturers now use plant-derived santalols from regulated plantations rather than petrochemical precursors.
Explore Santalyl acetate
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References
- Burdock, G.A. (2010). Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. CRC Press. ISBN 978-1-4200-9077-2
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPerfumers Notes
Regulatory Status
FEMA GRAS #3007 | IOFI: 09.034
Standard Dilution
10% in DPG (standard dilution for most fragrance materials)
Typical Usage Levels
FEMA GRAS (#3007) — typical use 0.01-5% in fragrance.
Ingredient Data Sheet
CAS 1323-00-8Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 524.8 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| SMILES | CC(=CCCC1(C2CCC(C2)C1=C)C)COC(=O)C.CC(=CCCC1(C2CC3C1(C3C2)C)C)COC(=O)C🔬 PubChem |
Odor & Flavor
| Functional Groups | esteretheralkene💻 RDKit |
| “The title ester finds some use in perfume compositions for Chypres, Oriental-woody fragrances (in support of the Sandalwood odor), variations of Lilac and other mild florals, etc. It is an excellent fixative.”📖 Arctander | |
| Santalyl acetate (a- and b-) has a characteristic, sandalwood-like odor. It has a pleasant bittersweet taste with an apricot-like undertone.📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “It is also used in flavor compositions as a trace component in imitation Apricot, Pear, Peach, Pineapple, floral flavor types, etc. Two esters of Santalol are permitted in food flavors in the U.S.A.: the other is Santalyl phenylacetate.”📖 Arctander |
Regulatory Status
| FEMA Number | FEMA 3007⚖️ 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: DTXSID501014562
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 524.8 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| Density | 0.98 g/cm^3🔬 PubChem |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 52.6 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 4 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 10 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 153.24 cm^3/mol💻 Computed |
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.
