Geranyl phenylacetate (CAS 102-22-7) — Sweet Heart to base Note Fragrance Ingredient
Geranyl phenylacetate
CAS 102-22-7
What Is Geranyl phenylacetate?
Geranyl phenylacetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient used to add rosy, honey-like sweetness to perfumes and personal care products. You’ll encounter it in floral body lotions, soaps, and some luxury perfumes. This versatile molecule helps perfumers create long-lasting floral bouquets with a smooth, slightly powdery dry-down. It’s particularly valued for its ability to bridge fresh top notes with deeper base notes.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Geranyl phenylacetate Smell Like?
Geranyl phenylacetate opens with a burst of dewy rose petals dipped in golden honey, quickly settling into a plush floral heart reminiscent of vintage face powder and dried apricots. As it evolves, the fragrance reveals a subtle animalic warmth—like beeswax candles in a sunlit greenhouse—before finishing with a delicate almond-like nuance. The dry-down persists as a skin-sweet whisper, blending seamlessly with musks and vanillic bases.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used as a supporting floralizer to enhance the aldehydic bouquet, adding honeyed depth to the iconic may rose-jasmine heart without overpowering.
Provides a smooth transition between the sharp lily-of-the-valley top notes and creamy sandalwood base, acting as a ‘floral glue’.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC(C)=CCC\C(C)=C\COC(=O)CC1=CC=CC=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Geranyl phenylacetate is an ester formed by the condensation of geraniol (an acyclic monoterpene alcohol) with phenylacetic acid. Industrially synthesized via acid-catalyzed esterification, it’s prized for its stability and resistance to hydrolysis compared to simpler floral esters. The molecule’s branched structure and aromatic ring contribute to its exceptional longevity in fragrance formulations.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | ~300 °C (estimated) |
|---|---|
| Density | ~0.98 g/cm³ (estimated) |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Floral bouquet enhancer |
| Soaps | 0.5-1.5% | Up to 2% | Provides lasting floral character |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with ionones to create vintage-style powder florals that avoid excessive sweetness.
Alternatives & Comparisons
For brighter, fresher floral effects with less honeyed character. More volatile but cheaper to produce.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No restrictions under current IFRA Standards (as of 49th Amendment).
RIFM Assessment
RIFM evaluation confirms safe use at current industry levels with no sensitization concerns.
Sustainability
Synthetic production from petrochemical precursors offers consistent quality and reduces pressure on natural resources. Modern catalytic processes minimize waste and energy use compared to traditional esterification methods.
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References
- Bauer et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH. ISBN 9783527600090
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 102-22-7Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 272.4 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 5.1🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 342 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 101.6 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -0.741💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC(=CCCC(=CCOC(=O)CC1=CC=CC=C1)C)C🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Base💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 14.5 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | floralhoneyrosesweet• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | esteretheralkenearomatic💻 RDKit |
| “Soft and very sweet, tenacious, mildly floral-honeylike almost herbaceous odor with Geranium-like undertones and variable amounts of animal notes. Trace impurities, particularly the two components from which the ester is prepared, may strongly influence this odor picture. Geraniol and Phenylacetic acid are both stronger odorants than this ester, and the acid in particular will introduce overpowering animal-honey-like notes, while poor distillation conditions, too high temperature, etc., may also”📖 Arctander | |
| Geranyl phynylacetate has a honey- and rose-like odor.📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “Powerful, sweet, mainly honey-like taste with a heavy-fruity note. The ester finds some use in flavor compositions such as imitation Apricot, Peach, Honey, and in various fruit complexes.”📖 Arctander |
Regulatory Status
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2516⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| GRAS Status | Generally Recognized as Safe⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| IOFI Classification | Artificial📖 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: DTXSID1051513
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 272.388 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.056 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 352.417 °C📊 OPERA |
| Melting Point | 16.923 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 101.6 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.515 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 277.632 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 5.233 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 5.233 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 5.233 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 8.86 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Viscosity | 7.356 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 32.736 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 138.952 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 | 7 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 83.707 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 33.184 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.
