Terpinyl formate (CAS 2153-26-6) — Citrus Top-middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Terpinyl formate
CAS 2153-26-6
What Is Terpinyl formate?
Terpinyl formate is a synthetic ester used in perfumery for its fresh, pine-like aroma with citrus undertones. It’s found in household cleaners, air fresheners, and some citrus-floral fragrances. This ingredient matters because it provides cost-effective alternatives to natural citrus oils while offering superior stability in formulations.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does Terpinyl formate Smell Like?
Terpinyl formate opens with a burst of crushed pine needles and grapefruit zest, like walking through a sunlit conifer forest. The heart develops into a cleaner, soapier character reminiscent of artisanal pine tar soap. Dry-down reveals subtle woody nuances that blend seamlessly with vetiver or cedarwood bases, though it lacks the depth of natural terpenes.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used here to amplify the forest-floor realism of the pine accord, providing both topnote lift and a subtle adhesive quality that prolongs scent retention on skin.
Employed as a synthetic citrus enhancer that withstands alkaline soap bases better than natural citrus oils while maintaining freshness.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC1=CCC(CC1)C(C)(C)OC=O
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Terpinyl formate is an ester formed from α-terpineol and formic acid. Industrially produced via acid-catalyzed esterification, it belongs to the monoterpenoid class. The synthesis typically yields a racemic mixture, though enantiopure forms can be obtained through chiral resolution. Unlike natural terpenes, it resists oxidation due to its formate group, making it valuable in functional fragrances.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 198 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.98 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.463 |
| Flash Point | 88 °C |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Functional Fragrances | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | For cleaning product freshness |
| Fine Fragrance | 0.1-0.8% | Up to 1.2% | Citrus-pine accords |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with ionones to create dimensional citrus effects that avoid harshness.
Alternatives & Comparisons
When a softer, more floral character is desired without the sharp formic edge.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not restricted under current IFRA standards (Amendment 49).
EU Allergen Declaration
Not listed in EU allergen regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment completed in 2015 – safe at current use levels.
Sustainability
Synthesized from petrochemical feedstocks, though more sustainable than natural terpenes in terms of land use. Production generates minimal waste when using modern catalytic processes. Biodegradability is moderate (60% in 28 days per OECD 301D).
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References
- IFRA Fragrance Ingredient Safety Assessment IFRA Standard
- PubChem Terpinyl formate CID 2153-26-6
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPerfumers Notes
Odor Profile
Citrus, floral, herbal.
Regulatory Status
FEMA GRAS #3052 | IOFI: 09.081
Standard Dilution
10% in DPG (standard dilution for most fragrance materials)
Typical Usage Levels
FEMA GRAS (#3052) — typical use 0.01-5% in fragrance.
Ingredient Data Sheet
CAS 2153-26-6Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 182.26 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.4🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 213 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -2.108💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC1=CCC(CC1)C(C)(C)OC=O🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Heart💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | citrusfloralherbal• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | etheralkene💻 RDKit |
| “Fresh, floral-citrusy, tart-herbaceous, semi-dry odor of moderate to poor tenacity.”📖 Arctander | |
| Terpinyl formate has a pleasant, floral, citrus odor with a bitter taste at high levels, becoming dry and fruity at lower levels.📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “Peculiar "astringent-dry" fruity taste, bitter in concentrations higher than 20 ppm. The title material is used in certain types of fruit flavor composition, mainly in berry-types and in "Bitters".”📖 Arctander |
Regulatory Status
| FEMA Number | FEMA 3052⚖️ 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: DTXSID20862849
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 182.263 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.945 g/cm^3📊 OPERA |
| Boiling Point | 226.893 °C📊 OPERA |
| Melting Point | -24.238 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 91.544 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.467 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 187.658 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.301 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 3.301 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 3.301 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 5.23 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.003 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0.001 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.874 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Viscosity | 2.821 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 31.23 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 129.987 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 26.3 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 3 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 52.105 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 20.656 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.
