Methyl Cinnamate (CAS 103-26-4) — Sweet Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
Methyl Cinnamate
CAS 103-26-4
What Is Methyl Cinnamate?
Methyl cinnamate is a sweet, balsamic-smelling compound found naturally in strawberries, cinnamon, and some tropical fruits. It’s commonly used in food flavorings and perfumes to add a warm, fruity-spicy character. This ingredient matters because it creates the illusion of ripe fruit in fragrances and enhances vanilla-like sweetness without being cloying, making it a versatile tool for perfumers crafting gourmand or oriental accords.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Methyl Cinnamate Smell Like?
Methyl cinnamate bursts with the jammy sweetness of sun-warmed strawberries, quickly revealing a spicy cinnamon heart that’s more powdered than sharp. As it dries, the scent develops a balsamic depth reminiscent of vanilla pods stored in an antique wooden cabinet. The dry-down lingers as a soft, fruity-woody whisper with just a hint of the initial berry brightness peeking through the warm base.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used to amplify the gourmand chocolate-patchouli accord, adding a fruity dimension that prevents the sweetness from becoming overwhelming.
Provides the cinnamon-spiced warmth that defines this oriental classic, blending seamlessly with clove and amber notes.
Contributes to the candied fruit effect in this modern gourmand, enhancing the praline and vanilla notes.
Adds a sweet counterpoint to the masculine spice blend, creating a tobacco-like fruity nuance.
Works with the coffee accord to create a mocha-like effect, bridging the gap between bitter and sweet notes.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: COC(=O)C=CC1=CC=CC=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Methyl cinnamate is an ester formed from cinnamic acid and methanol. Naturally occurring in strawberries, cinnamon leaf oil, and some balsams, it’s commonly synthesized via esterification of cinnamic acid. The trans-isomer predominates in nature and fragrance applications. Its conjugated double bond system contributes to both its stability and characteristic odor profile. Industrial production often employs acid-catalyzed reactions or enzymatic methods for higher purity.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 263 °C |
|---|---|
| Melting Point | 36 °C |
| Flash Point | >100 °C |
| Density | 1.092 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.565 |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.001 mmHg |
| Solubility | Insoluble in water, soluble in alcohol |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Adds fruity warmth |
| Soap | 0.5-1% | Up to 2% | Stable in alkaline media |
| Candles | 2-4% | Up to 6% | Good heat resistance |
| Food Flavoring | 10-50 ppm | Up to 100 ppm | Strawberry enhancer |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with ionones to create realistic strawberry effects or with vanillin for enhanced balsamic depth.
Alternatives & Comparisons
More wine-like and less fruity, useful when a drier cinnamon character is desired without the berry sweetness.
Higher molecular weight provides longer-lasting balsamic effects with less top-note fruitiness.
Offers a brighter, more floral cinnamon character when the strawberry aspect isn’t needed.
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 IFRA restrictions. Listed on IFRA Transparency List with no usage limits.
EU Allergen Declaration
Not listed as an EU allergen.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safe use at current industry levels with no significant sensitization risk.
Sustainability
Most methyl cinnamate is synthesized from petrochemical sources, though some is still extracted from cinnamon leaf oil. The synthetic route has lower environmental impact than natural extraction, requiring less land and resources. Biocatalytic production methods are being developed to reduce energy consumption in manufacturing.
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References
- Burdock, G.A. (2010). Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. CRC Press. ISBN 9781420090869
- Arctander, S. (1969). Perfume and Flavor Chemicals. Allured Publishing. ISBN 0931711014
- PubChem Compound Summary for CID 637520 PubChem CID 637520
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 103-26-4Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 162.18 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.6🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 260.4 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.04 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 121 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.0034💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -1.843💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | COC(=O)C=CC1=CC=CC=C1🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Heart💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 2.3 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | balsamicfruity• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | esteretheralkenearomatic💻 RDKit |
| “The material may polymerize under certain storage conditions, the polymerization being enhanced e.g. by intermittent heating to melt the material in the storage container. Polymerization causes turbidity of the liquid material, or in severe cases gelatinization after which the material no longer melts to a clear liquid, and it loses odor, becomes practically insoluble in above solvents.”📖 Arctander | |
| Methyl cinnamate has a fruity, balsamic odor similar to strawberry and a corresponding sweet taste.📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “Sweet and fruity, Cherry-Strawberry-like taste in dilutions below 20 ppm. It is used frequently in flavor compositions for imitation Butter, Cherry, Strawberry, Cream, Grape, Liqueurflavors, Mouthwash flavors, and in Peach, Plum, Vanilla, etc. in trace amounts.”📖 Arctander |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 7.3157 ppm (n=2)📖 van Gemert |
Regulatory Status
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2698⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| GRAS Status | Generally Recognized as Safe⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| IOFI Classification | Nature Identical📖 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: DTXSID6042151
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 162.188 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.32 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 261.95 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 35.53 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 134.567 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.559 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 150.398 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.625 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 2.505 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 2.505 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 5.19 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.002 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.021 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Surface Tension | 38.359 dyn/cm📊 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 | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 48.55 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 19.247 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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