Terpinyl propionate (CAS 80-27-3) — Citrus Top to middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Terpinyl propionate
CAS 80-27-3
What Is Terpinyl propionate?
Terpinyl propionate is a synthetic aroma chemical used in perfumes and flavorings. It has a fresh, pine-like scent with fruity undertones, often found in household cleaners and air fresheners. This ingredient matters because it adds crisp, clean top notes to fragrances while being more stable than some natural alternatives. Its versatility makes it a workhorse in citrus and woody compositions.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Terpinyl propionate Smell Like?
Terpinyl propionate bursts with a crisp, pine-needle freshness reminiscent of crushed juniper berries, quickly revealing a juicy pear-like fruitiness at its core. The top note has a sparkling, almost metallic cleanliness that evokes freshly polished wood. As it dries down, it softens into a warm, slightly balsamic woodiness with whispers of dried lavender. The overall effect is like walking through an alpine forest where pine trees mingle with wild orchards, leaving a clean-trail impression that lingers without overwhelming.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCC(=O)OC(C)(C)C1CCC(C)=CC1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Terpinyl propionate is an ester formed by the reaction of terpineol with propionic acid. This synthetic route allows precise control over stereochemistry, typically producing a racemic mixture. The molecule belongs to the monoterpenoid class, featuring a p-menthane skeleton with a propionate ester group at position 8. Industrial synthesis often employs acid-catalyzed esterification under controlled conditions to minimize byproducts. Its stability against hydrolysis makes it preferable to some natural terpene derivatives in acidic formulations.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow liquid |
|---|---|
| Boiling Point | ~230°C (estimated) |
| Density | ~0.95 g/cm³ (estimated) |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-5% | Up to 10% | Fresh top note modifier |
| Functional Fragrances | 3-8% | Up to 15% | Clean scent booster |
| Household Products | 0.5-3% | Up to 5% | Deodorizing effect |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with ionones to prevent harshness in the drydown.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not restricted under current IFRA standards (as of Amendment 49).
RIFM Assessment
RIFM evaluation indicates safe use at current industry levels.
Sustainability
As a fully synthetic material, terpinyl propionate avoids agricultural supply chain issues. Production typically uses petrochemical feedstocks, though some manufacturers are exploring bio-based propionic acid routes. Its efficiency in formulations (requiring lower doses than some naturals) contributes to reduced environmental load per unit of fragrance performance.
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References
- Burdock, G.A. (2010). Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. CRC Press.
- PubChem Compound Summary for Terpinyl propionate PubChem CID unavailable
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPerfumers Notes
Regulatory Status
FEMA GRAS #3053 | IOFI: 09.142
Standard Dilution
10% in DPG (standard dilution for most fragrance materials)
Typical Usage Levels
FEMA GRAS (#3053) — typical use 0.01-5% in fragrance.
Physicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID3044833
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 210.317 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.95 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 274.5 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 6.451 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 89.408 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.467 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 220.473 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4.232 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 4.232 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 4.232 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 6.3 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.024 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Viscosity | 2.749 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 30.438 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 130.239 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 | 61.214 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 24.267 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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