4-Hexen-1-ol, (4Z)- (CAS 928-91-6) — Green Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
4-Hexen-1-ol, (4Z)-
CAS 928-91-6
What Is 4-Hexen-1-ol, (4Z)-?
4-Hexen-1-ol, (4Z)- is a synthetic fragrance ingredient often used to add fresh, green notes to perfumes and scented products. You’ll encounter it in body washes, air fresheners, and some light floral perfumes. This molecule matters because it provides a crisp, dewy-leaf effect that helps create naturalistic green accords without relying on expensive botanicals.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does 4-Hexen-1-ol, (4Z)- Smell Like?
A vibrant green burst reminiscent of freshly crushed tomato leaves or snapped pea stems, with a slightly waxy undertone that recalls cucumber skin. The initial sharpness softens into a dewy vegetal sweetness, like morning grass after rain, before fading cleanly without woody residue. In dilution, it gains an almost melon-like juiciness that works beautifully in modern citrus compositions.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used here to amplify the hyper-realistic galbanum effect, creating that iconic ‘green lightning’ effect that made this fragrance revolutionary.
Provides the juicy green mango facet that makes this tropical composition feel simultaneously ripe and refreshing.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: C\C=C/CCCO
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
A six-carbon unsaturated alcohol with a cis double bond at position 4. Industrially produced via hydroformylation of butadiene followed by selective reduction. The Z-configuration is critical for odor quality – the E-isomer smells markedly harsher and more metallic. This stereospecificity makes industrial synthesis challenging, with typical commercial material being 85-92% Z-isomer.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 157-158 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.845 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.438 |
| Flash Point | 46 °C |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Green note enhancer |
| Functional Products | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Freshness booster |
| Home Care | 0.05-0.2% | Up to 0.5% | Cut-grass effect |
Classic Accords
Tip: Stabilize in ethanol before adding to water-based systems to prevent clouding.
Alternatives & Comparisons
When a brighter, more intensely grassy effect is needed, though it lacks the waxy nuance of the 4-isomer.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not restricted under current IFRA standards (as of Amendment 49).
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment completed in 2013 – no significant safety concerns at current use levels.
Sustainability
Synthesized from petrochemical feedstocks with moderate energy requirements. No known ecological toxicity at environmental concentrations from fragrance use. Preferred over natural extracts for consistent quality and reduced agricultural impact.
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References
- Bauer et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH. ISBN 978-3-527-30364-6
- Arctander, S. (1969). Perfume and Flavor Chemicals. Steffen Arctander. OCLC 9131
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 928-91-6Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 100.16 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 1.2🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 159 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -2.459💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC=CCCCO🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Top💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | fruitygreen• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | alcoholalkene💻 RDKit |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 0.1 ppm📖 van Gemert |
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: DTXSID10883609
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 100.161 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.862 g/cm^3📊 OPERA |
| Boiling Point | 158.369 °C📊 OPERA |
| Melting Point | -34.345 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 60.302 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.443 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 118.697 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 1.304 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 1.304 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 1.304 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 4.65 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.124 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 1.32 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Viscosity | 2.298 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 27.068 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 151.846 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 | 3 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 31.439 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 12.463 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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