Geranyl ethyl ether (CAS 40267-72-9) — Floral Top to middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Geranyl ethyl ether
CAS 40267-72-9
What Is Geranyl ethyl ether?
Geranyl ethyl ether is a synthetic fragrance compound that mimics the fresh, floral aspects of geranium and rose. It’s found in body care products, air fresheners, and some fine fragrances. This ingredient matters because it provides a cost-effective way to achieve natural-smelling floral notes without relying on plant extracts, making products more sustainable and consistent in scent.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Geranyl ethyl ether Smell Like?
Geranyl ethyl ether opens with a bright, citrusy-rose character reminiscent of crushed geranium leaves. The heart reveals a softer floralcy, like rose petals dipped in lemon zest, with a subtle green undertone. As it dries down, it leaves a clean, slightly sweet herbal impression that lingers close to the skin. The overall effect is like walking through a sunlit herb garden where rosemary and geraniums grow side by side.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used here to enhance the citrus-floral bouquet, adding a crisp, dewy quality to the classic cologne structure without overpowering the delicate citrus notes.
Provides a clean, soapy floral accent that complements the aldehydes, creating the impression of freshly laundered linens drying in a flower garden.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCOCC=C(C)CCC=C(C)C
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Geranyl ethyl ether is an aromatic ether derived from geraniol. As a synthetic molecule, it’s typically produced through Williamson ether synthesis by reacting geraniol with ethyl bromide under basic conditions. The ether linkage makes it more stable than its alcohol counterpart, with reduced volatility and increased resistance to oxidation. Its molecular structure features a monoterpene skeleton with a terminal double bond that contributes to its fresh character.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow liquid |
|---|---|
| Boiling Point | Approx. 220-230°C (estimated) |
| Solubility | Soluble in alcohol, oils; insoluble in water |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Adds fresh floral lift |
| Soap & Detergent | 0.5-1.5% | Up to 2% | Stable in alkaline systems |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use to extend rose notes in citrus colognes where geraniol might be too sweet.
Alternatives & Comparisons
More fruity and less green, with similar floral character but higher volatility.
For a more metallic, dewy rose effect when realism is desired.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not currently restricted by IFRA. Listed on IFRA Transparency List.
RIFM Assessment
Not currently evaluated by RIFM. Considered low priority due to limited use volume.
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, geranyl ethyl ether reduces pressure on natural geranium crops. Production typically uses petrochemical feedstocks, though bio-based routes from pinene are theoretically possible. The ether structure makes it more stable than geraniol, potentially reducing fragrance loss and extending product lifespan.
Explore Geranyl ethyl ether
Browse essential oils and aroma compounds.
Browse on iHerb →Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
References
- Bauer, K. et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH.
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 40267-72-9Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 182.3 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.8🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 220 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 1 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 85.7 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.0798💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -1.114💻 Calculated |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Heart💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 0.5 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | floralsweet• leffingwell |
| “The odor is fattier and less woody than that Mainly: 2-wans-3,7-Dimethyl-2,6-nonadien-l- of Geraniol, but since the commercial prod- 01. uct is far from pure, it is not possible to give more than an approximate odor description.”📖 Arctander | |
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: DTXSID1068223
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 182.307 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.841 g/cm^3📊 OPERA |
| Boiling Point | 227.887 °C📊 OPERA |
| Melting Point | -34.587 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 81.943 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.451 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 219.811 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.926 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 3.926 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 3.926 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 5.74 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.003 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0.001 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.375 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Viscosity | 1.674 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 25.536 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 131.021 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 9.23 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 6 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 59.19 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 23.465 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.
