(Z)-2-Phenylpropenyl acetate (CAS 37973-52-7) — Floral Top to Mid Note Fragrance Ingredient
(Z)-2-Phenylpropenyl acetate
CAS 37973-52-7
What Is (Z)-2-Phenylpropenyl acetate?
(Z)-2-Phenylpropenyl acetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient used to add fruity, floral nuances to perfumes and scented products. You’ll encounter it in air fresheners, body sprays, and some fine fragrances. It matters because this molecule creates unique scent profiles that can’t be achieved with natural extracts alone, offering perfumers more creative flexibility while maintaining stability in formulations.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does (Z)-2-Phenylpropenyl acetate Smell Like?
A crisp, green-fruity opening reminiscent of unripe pears and apple skins evolves into a delicate white floral heart with hints of jasmine sambac. The dry-down reveals a subtle woody-phenolic character that adds sophistication. The Z-isomer specifically contributes a brighter, more radiant quality compared to its E counterpart, with excellent diffusion that makes it valuable for modern fresh-floral compositions.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used here for its energizing fruity-floral facets that complement the citrus-herbal structure, providing long-lasting freshness without heaviness.
Contributes to the sparkling apple-pear accord that defines this Mediterranean-inspired fragrance’s signature freshness.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC(=O)O\C=C(\C)C1=CC=CC=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
An unsaturated ester belonging to the phenylpropanoid class, (Z)-2-Phenylpropenyl acetate is synthesized via Heck coupling or isomerization methods. The Z-configuration is crucial for its odor profile, as the spatial arrangement of atoms affects receptor binding. Industrially produced through palladium-catalyzed processes that ensure high stereoselectivity, this molecule demonstrates how minor structural changes create significant olfactive differences from similar compounds.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Molecular Weight | ~190 g/mol (estimated) |
|---|---|
| Boiling Point | ~250 °C (estimated) |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Functional Fragrances | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Provides freshness in detergents |
| Fine Fragrance | 0.1-0.8% | Up to 1.5% | Adds fruity lift to floral bouquets |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with ionones to enhance fruity aspects or with rosy materials to create dewy petal effects.
Alternatives & Comparisons
When a more intense fruity-floral character with greater tenacity is desired.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No current restrictions under IFRA Standards (as of 2023 Amendment 51).
RIFM Assessment
Under preliminary review by RIFM; insufficient data for full safety assessment currently.
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, production avoids agricultural land use but depends on petrochemical feedstocks. Modern catalytic methods have reduced energy requirements by ~40% compared to earlier synthesis routes. Future green chemistry approaches may utilize bio-based phenyl precursors.
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References
- Brenna et al. (2012). Stereochemistry and olfaction. Chirality. DOI:10.1002/chir.22036
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 37973-52-7Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 176.21 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.7🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 267 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.0098 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 84.8 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.0008💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -1.858💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC(=COC(=O)C)C1=CC=CC=C1🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Heart💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 3.5 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | floralsweet• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | esteretheralkenearomatic💻 RDKit |
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: DTXSID4052055
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 176.215 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.043 g/cm^3📊 OPERA |
| Boiling Point | 266.889 °C📊 OPERA |
| Melting Point | 37.514 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 111.475 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.521 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 170.262 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.577 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 2.577 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 2.577 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 5.76 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.001 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.011 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Viscosity | 4.431 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 35.252 dyn/cm📊 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 | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 51.825 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 20.545 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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