Benzyl propionate (CAS 122-63-4) — Floral Heart Note Fragrance Ingredient
Benzyl propionate
CAS 122-63-4
What Is Benzyl propionate?
Benzyl propionate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with a sweet, floral-fruity aroma reminiscent of jasmine and pear. You’ll encounter it in perfumes, soaps, and air fresheners. This versatile compound adds a soft, powdery floral character that blends beautifully with other ingredients. It’s particularly valued for its ability to enhance floral compositions without overpowering them, making it a staple in many perfumery accords.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Benzyl propionate Smell Like?
Benzyl propionate opens with a bright, fruity-floral burst reminiscent of ripe pears dipped in honey. The initial sweetness quickly settles into a delicate jasmine-like heart with subtle powdery undertones. As it dries down, it reveals a soft, musky base that adds warmth and longevity. The overall effect is like a sunlit garden where floral and fruity notes dance in perfect harmony, never cloying but persistently elegant.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used as a floral modifier to enhance the jasmine-rose heart, adding a soft fruity nuance that balances the aldehydic top notes.
Contributes to the lush floral bouquet, blending with jasmine and rose to create a velvety, powdery texture.
Provides a sweet floral foundation that supports the carnation and sandalwood notes, adding warmth and diffusion.
Used in the floral heart to create a soft, powdery white floral effect that complements the lily and honeysuckle.
Helps construct the transparent floral accord, adding a subtle fruity sweetness to the lily and peony notes.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCC(=O)OCC1=CC=CC=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Benzyl propionate is an ester formed by the condensation of benzyl alcohol and propionic acid. As a synthetic compound, it’s typically produced through acid-catalyzed esterification. The molecular structure features an aromatic benzyl group connected to a three-carbon propionate ester, giving it both floral and fruity characteristics. Its relatively simple structure makes it highly stable and versatile in formulations. The ester linkage is responsible for its sweet, floral odor profile, while the aromatic ring contributes to its moderate persistence.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 220 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.03 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.496 |
| Flash Point | 100 °C |
| Solubility | Insoluble in water, soluble in alcohol and oils |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 2-5% | Up to 10% | Floral heart note modifier |
| Soap | 0.5-2% | Up to 3% | Adds floral sweetness |
| Detergent | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Floral background note |
| Candles | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Provides floral diffusion |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use in floral accords to add diffusion and soften sharper floral notes.
Alternatives & Comparisons
More jasmine-like with less fruitiness; use when a cleaner floral note is needed without the pear-like aspects.
Rosier and less powdery; better for rose-focused compositions where a greener floral is desired.
More fruity with plum-like notes; use when stronger fruity facets are needed in the floral accord.
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
Not restricted by IFRA. No usage limits apply under current standards (Amendment 49).
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safe use at current levels with no significant sensitization concerns.
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, benzyl propionate has consistent quality and doesn’t rely on agricultural production. The petrochemical starting materials are widely available, and modern manufacturing processes have high efficiency with minimal waste. While not renewable, its potency means relatively small quantities are needed in formulations, reducing overall environmental impact compared to some natural floral absolutes.
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References
- Arctander, S. (1969). Perfume and Flavor Chemicals. Allured Publishing.
- Burdock, G.A. (2010). Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. CRC Press.
- IFRA Standards Library (2021). Amendment 49. IFRA
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 122-63-4Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 164.2 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.4🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 220 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.09 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 102 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.0076💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -1.998💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CCC(=O)OCC1=CC=CC=C1🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Heart💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 1.7 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | floralfruityjasmine• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | esteretheraromatic💻 RDKit |
| “Fruity-sweet odor with pronounced floral undertone, overall type Jasmin. Less sharp, and more fruity than the acetate.”📖 Arctander | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “Used in flavor compositions for imitation Apple, Banana, Berry, Grape, Pear, Pine-apple, etc.”📖 Arctander |
Regulatory Status
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2150⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| GRAS Status | Generally Recognized as Safe⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
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: DTXSID4044791
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 164.204 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.014 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 232.667 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 222 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 93.333 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.502 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 158.746 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.687 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 2.474 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 2.474 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 5.23 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.003 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.075 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 3.026 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 35.338 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 140.159 mW/(m*K)📊 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 | 3 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 46.843 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 18.57 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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