(Z)-2-Penten-1-ol (CAS 1576-95-0) — Green Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
(Z)-2-Penten-1-ol
CAS 1576-95-0
What Is (Z)-2-Penten-1-ol?
(Z)-2-Penten-1-ol is a synthetic fragrance compound that adds green, fresh, and slightly fruity nuances to perfumes. It’s found in modern floral and citrus compositions where a crisp, natural greenness is desired. This molecule matters because it helps recreate the fresh-cut stems and dewy leaves effect in perfumery without using plant extracts, making fragrances more consistent and sustainable.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does (Z)-2-Penten-1-ol Smell Like?
(Z)-2-Penten-1-ol bursts with the sharp, verdant snap of freshly torn leaves, like crushing a handful of young spinach stems between your fingers. The opening has a bright, slightly alcoholic edge that quickly settles into a dewy green character, reminiscent of cucumber skins and unripe bananas. As it dries, a faint metallic nuance emerges, like rainwater on hot pavement, before fading into a clean, watery-green trail that blends seamlessly with floral heart notes.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC\C=C/CO
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
(Z)-2-Penten-1-ol belongs to the unsaturated aliphatic alcohols class, characterized by its cis-configuration at the double bond between carbons 2 and 3. Industrially produced through selective hydrogenation of pentynol or via Grignard reactions, this molecule’s Z-configuration is crucial for its fresh green odor profile. Unlike its E-isomer, the Z-form exhibits greater volatility and a sharper top note character due to its less stable molecular geometry.
Physical & Chemical Properties
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Green top note modifier |
| Functional Fragrance | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Freshness booster |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use to lift citrus top notes with naturalistic greenness without adding heaviness.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Stronger green leaf effect with longer tenacity, but less fresh-cut character.
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).
RIFM Assessment
Not currently evaluated by RIFM, but structurally similar compounds show low toxicity profiles.
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, (Z)-2-Penten-1-ol offers consistent quality without agricultural variability. Production typically uses petrochemical feedstocks, though some manufacturers are exploring bio-based routes via fermentation of plant sugars. Its high potency means minimal quantities are needed, reducing overall environmental load compared to natural green extracts.
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Physicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID30878754
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 86.134 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.853 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 138 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -38.633 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 50.675 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.438 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 102.19 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 0.91 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 0.91 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 0.91 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 4.2 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.536 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 2.983 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Viscosity | 1.712 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 26.395 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 156.075 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 20.23 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 26.806 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 10.627 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.
