Geranyl Acetate (CAS 105-87-3) — Floral Heart Note Fragrance Ingredient
Geranyl Acetate
CAS 105-87-3
What Is Geranyl Acetate?
Geranyl acetate is a naturally occurring ester found in many essential oils like citronella, palmarosa, and petitgrain. People encounter it in perfumes, soaps, and flavorings. This ingredient matters because it provides a fresh, fruity-floral aroma that’s widely used in creating natural-smelling rose and citrus accords.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFE
What Does Geranyl Acetate Smell Like?
Geranyl acetate opens with a bright burst reminiscent of peeled citrus zest mingled with dewy rose petals. The heart evolves into a sophisticated fruity-floral character, like biting into a perfectly ripe pear in a sunlit orchard. Dry-down reveals subtle green undertones that keep the sweetness in check.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Provides the sparkling citrus-rose transition in this classic fougère. Its volatility makes it perfect for the opening burst that defines this genre.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC(C)=CCC\C(C)=C\COC(C)=O
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Geranyl acetate is a monoterpenoid ester formed from geraniol and acetic acid. Naturally occurs in over 60 essential oils, particularly Pelargonium species. Industrially produced via esterification of geraniol with acetic anhydride. The trans-isomer predominates in nature and has superior olfactory properties compared to the cis-form.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 242-245 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.916 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.458-1.464 |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 2-10% | Up to 15% | Rose and citrus compositions |
| Functional Fragrance | 0.5-3% | Up to 5% | Soaps and detergents |
Classic Accords
+ Lemon Oil = Sparkling Citrus
Tip: Use with linalool to extend floralcy without sweetness.
Alternatives & Comparisons
When a more minty-rosy character is desired. Less fruity than geranyl acetate but with better tenacity.
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 restrictions under IFRA 49th Amendment.
EU Allergen Declaration
Not listed in EU allergen regulation.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safe use at current levels in fragrances.
Sustainability
Primarily synthesized from renewable plant-derived geraniol. Biodegradable with low environmental persistence. Some natural sourcing from rose geranium cultivation supports sustainable agriculture in developing regions.
Explore Geranyl Acetate
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Industry & Science Data
References
- Bauer et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH. ISBN 978-3-527-30627-2
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Ingredient Data Sheet
CAS 105-87-3Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 196.29 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.5🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 242.2 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.02 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 93.3 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.0015💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -1.412💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC(=CCCC(=CCOC(=O)C)C)C🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Heart💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 3.4 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | floralfruitygreenrosesweet• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | esteretheralkene💻 RDKit |
| “Sweet, fruity-floral, rosy, somewhat green and remotely Lavender-like odor of moderate tenacity.”📖 Arctander | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “Sweet fruity, overall nondescript taste with notes resembling those of Banana, Pear, Apple and Peach, but not a purely sweet after-taste. The ester is used in flavor composition for a great variation of types: Apricot, Apple, Banana, Blackcurrant, Gooseberry, Ginger Ale, Grape, Honey, Lemon, Peach, ”📖 Arctander |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 0.4111 ppm (n=6)📖 van Gemert |
Regulatory Status
| EU Annex III | Listed (restricted)⚖️ IFRA 51 |
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2509⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| GRAS Status | Generally Recognized as Safe⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
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: DTXSID0020654
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 196.29 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.91 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 241.504 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -37.942 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 103.69 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.458 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 216.931 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.983 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 3.972 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 3.972 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 5.78 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.023 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 2.002 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 27.714 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 136.897 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 | 5 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 59.219 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 23.476 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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