Guaiacyl phenylacetate (CAS 4112-89-4) — Woody Base Note Fragrance Ingredient
Guaiacyl phenylacetate
CAS 4112-89-4
What Is Guaiacyl phenylacetate?
Guaiacyl phenylacetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that perfumers use to add warm, woody, and slightly smoky nuances to perfumes. You’ll encounter it in sophisticated amber and oriental fragrances. This molecule matters because it helps bridge floral and woody accords, adding depth without overwhelming other notes. Its subtle sweetness makes modern perfumes feel more luxurious and complex.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Guaiacyl phenylacetate Smell Like?
Guaiacyl phenylacetate unfolds like an antique wooden chest lined with dried rose petals. The initial impression is a dry, polished wood note with whispers of old books and incense. As it develops, a honeyed sweetness emerges, reminiscent of beeswax candles in a cedar-lined chapel. The dry-down reveals a smooth, almost vanillic warmth that lingers close to the skin. This versatile material behaves like a chameleon—in small doses it adds backbone to florals, while heavier applications create rich oriental foundations.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used here to enhance the vanilla-amber accord, adding a smoky sophistication that prevents the sweetness from becoming cloying. The guaiacyl note bridges the citrus top and balsamic base.
Contributes to the mysterious incense character, blending with myrrh and patchouli. The phenylacetate facet softens the spice blend into a more wearable form.
Works alongside sandalwood to create the illusion of aged wood. The subtle sweetness mimics natural wood resins without adding gourmand qualities.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: COC1=C(OC(=O)CC2=CC=CC=C2)C=CC=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Guaiacyl phenylacetate belongs to the phenylpropanoid class of aromatic compounds. Structurally, it combines a guaiacol moiety (2-methoxyphenol) with phenylacetic acid. Industrial synthesis typically involves esterification of guaiacol with phenylacetyl chloride. The resulting molecule exhibits excellent stability in both acidic and alkaline conditions, making it versatile for various fragrance applications. While not found in nature, its structural elements resemble those in aged woods and certain balsams.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Pale yellow viscous liquid |
|---|---|
| Odor Threshold | 0.01 ppm in air |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Base note fixative |
| Home Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 8% | Warmth in diffuser oils |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with ionones to create velvety wood effects that avoid the sawdust character of some woody materials.
Alternatives & Comparisons
For a brighter wood note with less sweetness. The acetate version has higher volatility and works better in middle notes.
When more honeyed character is desired without the woody aspect. Stronger and requires careful dosing.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not currently restricted under IFRA standards.
RIFM Assessment
Not yet evaluated by RIFM, but structurally similar compounds have good safety profiles.
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, guaiacyl phenylacetate avoids the sustainability issues of harvesting rare woods. Modern production methods use green chemistry principles with high atom economy. The starting materials derive from renewable phenol sources rather than petrochemicals in most manufacturing routes.
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References
- Arctander, S. (1969). Perfume and Flavor Chemicals. Montclair, NJ.
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 4112-89-4Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 242.27 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 150 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -2.048💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | COC1=CC=CC=C1OC(=O)CC2=CC=CC=C2🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Heart💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | dryhoneywoody• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | esteretheraromatic💻 RDKit |
| “Heavy, rather dry, woody-herbaceous odor with variable amounts of "phenolic" or "phenylacetic" notes, both of which will greatly influence the odor of the ester.”📖 Arctander | |
| Guaiacyl phenylacetate has a heavy, dry, woody, herbaceous odor and a woody, spicy, smoky flavor.📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “NOTE: Do not confuse with: Guaiyl phenylacetate, which is a chemical with possible application in perfumery and in food flavors. The subject chemical is most conceivably the result of an old typographical error or chemical misunderstanding, since it has very little, if any, perfumery interest. It fi”📖 Arctander |
Regulatory Status
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2535⚖️ 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: DTXSID1063306
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 242.274 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.139 g/cm^3📊 OPERA |
| Boiling Point | 351.323 °C📊 OPERA |
| Melting Point | 67.743 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 148.487 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.563 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 211.766 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.991 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 2.991 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 2.991 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 8.42 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 | 16.247 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 41.546 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 142.081 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 35.53 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 3 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 4 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 68.76 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 27.259 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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