Ethyl octadecanoate (CAS 111-61-5) — Balsamic Base Note Fragrance Ingredient

ByThe Good Scents
Balsamic · Woody

Ethyl octadecanoate

CAS 111-61-5

Origin
synthetic
Note
Base
IFRA
Generally safe
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is Ethyl octadecanoate?

Ethyl octadecanoate is a synthetic ester commonly used as a fragrance ingredient in personal care products and candles. It contributes a waxy, fatty character that helps anchor floral and fruity notes. This ingredient matters because it adds subtle depth and longevity to fragrances without overwhelming other components.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
✓ No known safety concerns
✓ Not classified as an allergen
CAS
111-61-5
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Balsamic · Woody
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Ethyl octadecanoate Smell Like?

Ethyl octadecanoate presents a faint, waxy odor reminiscent of candle wax or cosmetic bases. Its fatty character blends seamlessly into compositions, providing a subtle foundation without distinct evolution. The scent remains stable through dry-down, acting as a quiet fixative that enhances other materials rather than asserting its own identity.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Chanel No. 5(Chanel, 1921)

Used as a subtle fixative to support the aldehydic top notes and floral heart, contributing to the perfume’s legendary longevity without altering its signature character.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

Ethyl stearate

SMILES: CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)OCC

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

Ethyl octadecanoate belongs to the ester class, formed by the reaction of ethanol with stearic acid. As a synthetic material, it’s produced through esterification under controlled conditions. The molecule’s long carbon chain contributes to its low volatility and waxy olfactory character.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling PointNot available
DensityNot available

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Base
Volatility
Very low (hours)
Blending
Good
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance0.5-2%Up to 5%Used as subtle fixative
Candles1-3%Up to 8%Adds waxy character

Classic Accords

+ Jasmine + Vanilla = Floral Oriental + Aldehydes + Rose = Classic Perfume

Tip: Use sparingly to avoid waxy buildup in the dry-down.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Ethyl stearate CAS 111-61-5

Similar waxy character with slightly different blending properties.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.

IFRA Status

No IFRA restrictions apply.

RIFM Assessment

Considered safe for current fragrance uses by RIFM.

Sustainability

As a synthetic material, ethyl octadecanoate has consistent quality and doesn’t require agricultural resources. Its production from renewable feedstocks is being explored to improve sustainability.

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References

    Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.

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    Ingredient Data Sheet

    CAS 111-61-5

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight312.5 g/mol🔬 PubChem
    LogP (Octanol-Water)8.9🔬 PubChem
    Boiling Point213 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
    Vapor Pressure0 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA
    Flash Point161 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
    log Kp (skin permeability)1.713💻 Calculated
    SMILESCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)OCC🔬 PubChem

    Volatility & Performance

    Fragrance NoteBase💻 Calculated
    Volatility ClassVery slow💻 Calculated
    Persistence Score21 / 5💻 Calculated

    Odor & Flavor

    Primary Descriptorsodorlesswaxy• leffingwell
    Functional Groupsesterether💻 RDKit
    “Sweet, deep, fruity odor of berry-like char- 31-126; 160-1230; acter.”📖 Arctander
    Ethyl octadecanoate is virtually odorless.📖 Fenaroli

    Sensory Thresholds

    Odor Detection Threshold1.5362 ppm (n=2)📖 van Gemert

    Regulatory Status

    IOFI ClassificationNature Identical📖 Fenaroli
    Data Sources & Attribution
    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: DTXSID5059406

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight 312.538 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
    Density 0.89 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX
    Boiling Point 357.569 °C📊 OPERA
    Melting Point 33.94 °C🔬 EPA CTX
    Flash Point 164.525 °C🔬 EPA CTX
    Refractive Index 1.446 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
    Molar Volume 362.153 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

    Partition & Solubility

    LogP (Octanol-Water) 8.698 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogD (pH 5.5) 8.698 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogD (pH 7.4) 8.698 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 8.91 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    Water Solubility 0 mol/L📊 OPERA
    Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

    Transport Properties

    Vapor Pressure 0 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX
    Viscosity 7.619 cP📊 OPERA
    Surface Tension 30.081 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
    Thermal Conductivity 152.029 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 17 count💻 Computed
    Aromatic Rings 0 count💻 Computed
    Molar Refractivity 96.481 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
    Polarizability 38.248 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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