Styryl acetate (CAS 10521-96-7) — Sweet Top Note Fragrance Ingredient

ByThe Good Scents
Sweet · Citrus

Styryl acetate

CAS 10521-96-7

Origin
synthetic
Note
Top
IFRA
Generally safe
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is Styryl acetate?

Styryl acetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient used to add fresh, fruity notes to perfumes and scented products. You’ll encounter it in air fresheners, body sprays, and some floral fragrances. This molecule matters because it mimics natural fruity aromas at a fraction of the cost, making everyday products smell more pleasant without relying on volatile citrus oils.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
✓ No known major restrictions
⚠ Limited safety data available
CAS
10521-96-7
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Sweet · Citrus
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Styryl acetate Smell Like?

Styryl acetate delivers a crisp, pear-like freshness with subtle green undertones. Imagine biting into a just-ripe Bartlett pear – that initial burst of juicy sweetness is what this molecule captures. Over time, it reveals a faintly floral character reminiscent of magnolia blossoms, before fading into a clean, slightly waxy dry-down reminiscent of apple skins.

Scent Profile
Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

2-Phenylvinyl acetate

SMILES: CC(=O)OC=CC1=CC=CC=C1

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

Styryl acetate is an ester formed from styryl alcohol and acetic acid. As a synthetic molecule, it doesn’t occur naturally but mimics fruity ester compounds found in nature. Industrial production typically involves acid-catalyzed esterification under controlled conditions. The molecule’s relatively simple structure makes it cost-effective for mass production while delivering consistent olfactory performance.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling PointNot established
DensityNot established

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Top
Volatility
Medium (1-2 hours)
Blending
Good
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Functional Fragrances1-5%Up to 10%Adds fruity freshness
Fine Fragrance0.5-2%Up to 5%Top note modifier

Classic Accords

Tip: Use to extend citrus top notes in budget formulations.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Phenylacetic acid CAS 103-82-2

More honey-like character, better longevity but less fresh.

2
Benzyl acetate CAS 140-11-4

Similar fruity profile but with stronger floral jasmine aspects.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.

IFRA Status

No IFRA restrictions currently apply.

RIFM Assessment

No RIFM assessment found.

Sustainability

As a purely synthetic material, styryl acetate doesn’t impact natural resources. However, its production depends on petrochemical feedstocks. The molecule’s efficiency means small quantities can achieve desired effects, reducing overall environmental burden compared to some natural alternatives.

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References

  1. PubChem Compound Summary for Styryl acetate PubChem

Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.

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Ingredient Data Sheet

CAS 10521-96-7

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight162.18 g/mol🔬 PubChem
LogP (Octanol-Water)2.1🔬 PubChem
Boiling Point256 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
Vapor Pressure0.0089 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA
Flash Point82.3 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
Involatility Index0.0008💻 Calculated
log Kp (skin permeability)-2.198💻 Calculated
SMILESCC(=O)OC=CC1=CC=CC=C1🔬 PubChem

Volatility & Performance

Fragrance NoteHeart💻 Calculated
Volatility ClassVery slow💻 Calculated
Persistence Score3.2 / 5💻 Calculated

Odor & Flavor

Functional Groupsesteretheralkenearomatic💻 RDKit
Data Sources & Attribution
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: DTXSID9051535

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight 162.188 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
Density 1.07 g/cm^3📊 OPERA
Boiling Point 251.278 °C📊 OPERA
Melting Point 26.307 °C📊 OPERA
Flash Point 98.948 °C📊 OPERA
Refractive Index 1.559 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
Molar Volume 150.398 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 2.182 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 5.5) 2.182 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 7.4) 2.182 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 5.19 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
Water Solubility 0.002 mol/L📊 OPERA
Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

Transport Properties

Vapor Pressure 0.02 mmHg📊 OPERA
Viscosity 2.921 cP📊 OPERA
Surface Tension 37.664 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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