2-Methyl-4-phenylbutyraldehyde (CAS 40654-82-8) — Floral Top to Heart Note Fragrance Ingredient

Floral · Citrus

2-Methyl-4-phenylbutyraldehyde

CAS 40654-82-8

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

What Is 2-Methyl-4-phenylbutyraldehyde?

2-Methyl-4-phenylbutyraldehyde is a synthetic fragrance ingredient used in perfumes and fine fragrances. It adds a fresh, floral, and slightly fruity character to compositions. This aldehyde is valued for its ability to enhance floral notes and provide a modern twist to classic accords.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
Safe in regulated products
Check for allergen labeling
CAS
40654-82-8
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Floral · Citrus
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does 2-Methyl-4-phenylbutyraldehyde Smell Like?

2-Methyl-4-phenylbutyraldehyde opens with a bright, fresh aldehydic burst, reminiscent of citrus peels and green stems. The heart reveals a floral, slightly rosy character with a hint of fruity sweetness, like ripe pears. The dry-down is soft and musky, with a lingering warmth that blends seamlessly into woody bases.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Chanel No. 5(Chanel, 1921)

Used to enhance the floral bouquet and add a modern aldehydic sparkle.

Dior J'adore(Dior, 1999)

Adds a fresh, fruity-floral nuance to the radiant floral heart.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

2-Methyl-4-phenyl-1-butanal

SMILES: CC(CCC1=CC=CC=C1)C=O

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

2-Methyl-4-phenylbutyraldehyde is a synthetic aldehyde with a branched carbon chain. It is typically synthesized via hydroformylation of styrene derivatives. The molecule’s structure allows for versatile olfactory properties, blending floral, fruity, and aldehydic characteristics.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling PointNot available
DensityNot available

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Top to Heart
Volatility
Medium (1-3 hours)
Blending
Good
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance1-5%Up to 10%Enhances floral and fruity notes
Functional Fragrance0.5-2%Up to 5%Adds freshness to detergents

Classic Accords

Tip: Use in small doses to avoid overpowering the composition.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Phenylacetaldehyde CAS 122-78-1

Offers a stronger floral character but lacks the fruity nuance.

2
Lilial CAS 80-54-6

Provides a similar floral freshness but with a more powdery dry-down.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

No specific IFRA restrictions.

RIFM Assessment

RIFM has assessed this ingredient as safe for use in current practices.

Sustainability

Synthesized from petrochemical sources, with no known major environmental concerns. Efforts to improve synthetic routes for reduced environmental impact are ongoing.

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References

  1. PubChem: 2-Methyl-4-phenylbutyraldehyde PubChem
  2. IFRA Standards IFRA

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

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Ingredient Data Sheet

CAS 40654-82-8

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight162.23 g/mol🔬 PubChem
LogP (Octanol-Water)2.5🔬 PubChem
Boiling Point253 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
log Kp (skin permeability)-1.915💻 Calculated
SMILESCC(CCC1=CC=CC=C1)C=O🔬 PubChem

Volatility & Performance

Fragrance NoteHeart💻 Calculated

Odor & Flavor

Primary Descriptorsearthyfloralsweet• leffingwell
Functional Groupsaldehydearomatic💻 RDKit

Regulatory Status

IOFI ClassificationArtificial📖 Fenaroli
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: DTXSID80866005

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight 162.232 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
Density 0.955 g/cm^3📊 OPERA
Boiling Point 253 °C🔬 EPA CTX
Melting Point 9.256 °C📊 OPERA
Flash Point 108.774 °C📊 OPERA
Refractive Index 1.5 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
Molar Volume 169.466 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 2.549 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 5.5) 2.549 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 7.4) 2.549 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 5.85 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
Water Solubility 0.005 mol/L📊 OPERA
Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

Transport Properties

Vapor Pressure 0.156 mmHg📊 OPERA
Viscosity 2.607 cP📊 OPERA
Surface Tension 32.301 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
Thermal Conductivity 138.311 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA

Molecular Descriptors

Topological Polar Surface Area 17.07 Ų💻 Computed
H-Bond Donors 0 count💻 Computed
H-Bond Acceptors 1 count💻 Computed
Rotatable Bonds 4 count💻 Computed
Aromatic Rings 1 count💻 Computed
Molar Refractivity 49.846 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
Polarizability 19.761 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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