Cinnamyl Acetate (CAS 103-54-8) — Sweet Heart Note Fragrance Ingredient
Cinnamyl Acetate
CAS 103-54-8
What Is Cinnamyl Acetate?
Cinnamyl acetate is a sweet, floral-woody aroma chemical found in cinnamon bark and some perfumes. It adds a warm, balsamic character reminiscent of cinnamon sticks and honey. This ingredient matters because it creates depth in oriental fragrances and provides natural cinnamon-like tones without being overpowering.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does Cinnamyl Acetate Smell Like?
Cinnamyl acetate unfolds with an initial burst of sweet, honeyed cinnamon that quickly softens into a floral heart reminiscent of carnations dipped in vanilla. The dry-down reveals a warm, balsamic woodiness that lingers like the scent of aged cedar chests containing dried spices. Unlike raw cinnamon oil, it lacks harshness, instead offering a rounded, almost powdery sweetness comparable to melting caramel on toasted oak.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Provides the warm cinnamon-spice backbone that balances the citrus top notes, creating Opium’s signature oriental character without overwhelming the floral heart.
Used as a cinnamon modifier that blends seamlessly with the clove and amber notes, giving Cinnabar its distinctive spicy-oriental warmth.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC(=O)OCC=CC1=CC=CC=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Cinnamyl acetate is an ester formed from cinnamyl alcohol and acetic acid. While occurring naturally in cinnamon bark and some floral absolutes, most commercial material is synthesized via esterification. The molecule’s conjugated double bond system contributes to its stability and distinctive balsamic character. Its relatively simple structure allows for cost-effective production while maintaining olfactory complexity.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 265 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.05 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.542-1.546 |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Spice modifier in oriental compositions |
| Soap | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Adds warmth to spice blends |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with vanillic materials to enhance its sweet balsamic character without becoming cloying.
Alternatives & Comparisons
For stronger cinnamon impact, though more likely to cause skin sensitivity. Lacks the rounded sweetness of the acetate.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. IFRA, REACH, EU Cosmetics Regulation standards update periodically. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating. Not legal or regulatory advice.
IFRA Status
No IFRA restrictions. Listed as safe for use in current IFRA Standards (49th Amendment).
EU Allergen Declaration
Not listed as EU allergen, though related to cinnamaldehyde which is regulated.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM evaluation confirms safe use at current industry levels with proper precautions.
Sustainability
Synthetic production avoids pressure on cinnamon bark resources. Manufacturing process has moderate environmental impact due to acetic acid use, but is more sustainable than distillation of natural cinnamon oils.
Explore Cinnamyl Acetate
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References
- Bauer et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH. ISBN 9783527618250
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 103-54-8Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 176.21 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.3🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 269 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.1575 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 130 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.0128💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -2.142💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC(=O)OCC=CC1=CC=CC=C1🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Heart💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 1.3 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | balsamiccinnamonfloralfruityspicysweet• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | esteretheralkenearomatic💻 RDKit |
| “Sweet, mild-balsamic and slightly floral-fruity odor. The spicy note has a tendency of "showing through" and disturb the fragrance picture of a composition, often more than what is desirable. In this respect, it is the most "cinnamic" of all the esters, more than the Formate and more than the Propionate, etc.”📖 Arctander | |
| Cinnamyl acetate has a characteristic balsamic-floral odor and burning, sweet taste reminiscent of pineapple. The ester obtained from natural cinnamyl alcohol exhibits a more delicate (hyacinth–jasmine-like) note.📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “Used in flavor compositions for imitation Apple, Apricot, Berry, Cherry, Cinnamon, Cassia, Grape, Peach, Pineapple, Quince, Vanilla, etc.”📖 Arctander |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 0.15 ppm📖 van Gemert |
Regulatory Status
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2293⚖️ 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: DTXSID2044765
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 176.215 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.054 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 265.833 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -3.7 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 130.367 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.55 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 166.905 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.618 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 2.618 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 2.618 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 5.74 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.002 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.139 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 3.448 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 37.254 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 | 3 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 53.183 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 21.083 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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