Phenylethyl Alcohol (CAS 60-12-8) — Floral Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
Phenylethyl Alcohol
CAS 60-12-8
What Is Phenylethyl Alcohol?
Phenylethyl Alcohol is a naturally occurring aromatic compound found in rose oil and other floral scents. It’s widely used in perfumes, cosmetics, and food flavorings. This ingredient matters because it provides a sweet, rosy note that’s fundamental to many fragrance compositions and can enhance both floral and non-floral accords.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFE
What Does Phenylethyl Alcohol Smell Like?
Phenylethyl Alcohol offers a rich, sweet, floral aroma reminiscent of rose petals with subtle honey-like undertones. It starts with a bright, slightly green top note that quickly settles into a lush heart of rosy sweetness. The dry-down reveals a soft, powdery character that blends seamlessly with other florals and musks.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used as a key floral modifier to enhance the rose-jasmine heart with its sweet, honeyed rose character.
Provides foundational rosy sweetness that supports the lavish floral bouquet.
Amplifies the natural rose character while adding depth and sweetness.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: OCCC1=CC=CC=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Phenylethyl Alcohol is an aromatic primary alcohol with the formula C8H10O. It occurs naturally in rose oil, carnation, hyacinth, and other flowers. Commercially, it’s produced either by hydrogenation of styrene oxide or via microbial fermentation. The compound exists as a single stereoisomer due to its simple structure.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 219-221 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.02 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.531-1.534 |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-5% | Up to 10% | Core floral component |
| Cosmetics | 0.1-1% | Up to 2% | Fragrance and preservative |
| Flavorings | 5-20 ppm | Up to 50 ppm | Honey-rose notes |
Classic Accords
+ Jasmine + Sandalwood = Oriental Floral
Tip: Use to add natural sweetness and rosy character without overwhelming other notes.
Alternatives & Comparisons
When a more citrusy rose character is desired.
For a similar rosy effect with better stability in acidic formulations.
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 standards.
RIFM Assessment
Approved by RIFM with no safety concerns at typical usage levels.
Sustainability
Synthetic production from petrochemical sources dominates, though fermentation routes from renewable feedstocks are emerging. Considered sustainable due to low usage requirements and biodegradability.
Explore Phenylethyl Alcohol
Browse essential oils and aroma compounds.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Industry & Science Data
References
- Burdock, G.A. (2010). Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. CRC Press.
- Arctander, S. (1969). Perfume and Flavor Chemicals. Allured Publishing.
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Ingredient Data Sheet
CAS 60-12-8Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 122.16 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 1.4🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 218.2 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.08 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 102 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.0078💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -2.451💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | C1=CC=C(C=C1)CCO🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Heart💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 1.4 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | floralrose• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | alcoholaromatic💻 RDKit |
| “This material enters perfume compositions at the rate of 5-10-20%, or sometimes much more. Its low cost, versatility and general acceptability on odor, its excellent stability are factors speaking strongly in favor of this otherwise relatively weak odorant. However, its odor is clearly demonstrated in an experiment with an apparently weak crystalline fixative/odorant, such as Trichloro methyl phenyl carbonyl acetate (Trirosol, Rosetone, etc.). With 5% of the crystalline material, Phenylethylalco”📖 Arctander | |
| Phenethyl alcohol has a characteristic rose-like odor and an initially slightly bitter taste, then sweet and reminiscent of peach.📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “The taste of this alcohol is sweet and Honey-rose-like at concentrations lower than 40 ppm, but tends to become unpleasantly perfumy at higher concentrations. The title alcohol finds some use in flavor”📖 Arctander |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 1.7899 ppm (n=25)📖 van Gemert |
Regulatory Status
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2858⚖️ 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: DTXSID9026342
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 122.167 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.02 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 219.15 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -26.113 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 98.31 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.536 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 119.757 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 1.332 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 0.985 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 1.41 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 6.11 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.175 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole🔬 EPA CTX |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.081 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 5.28 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 38.751 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 152.631 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 20.23 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 37.337 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 14.802 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.
Related Research
- Phenol, 2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-methyl- (CAS 2440-22-4) — Citrus N/A Note Fragrance Ingredient
- Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl),alpha-[(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenyl]-omega-hydroxy- (CAS 9036-19-5) — Citrus Non-volatile Note Fragrance Ingredient
- a2H-1,5-Benzodioxepin-3(4H)-one,7-7-(3-methylbutyl)- (CAS 362467-67-2) — Woody Middle to base Note Fragrance Ingredient
- Pyrazine, 2-methyl-6-propoxy (CAS 67845-28-7) — Sweet Middle to base Note Fragrance Ingredient
