Ethyl vanillin propylene glycol acetal (CAS 68527-76-4) — Sweet Middle to base Note Fragrance Ingredient

Sweet · Balsamic

Ethyl vanillin propylene glycol acetal

CAS 68527-76-4

Origin
synthetic
Note
Middle to base
IFRA
Generally safe
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is Ethyl vanillin propylene glycol acetal?

Ethyl vanillin propylene glycol acetal is a synthetic fragrance ingredient used to enhance vanilla and creamy notes in perfumes, candles, and food flavorings. It’s commonly found in gourmand and oriental fragrances, adding a warm, sweet depth. This material matters because it provides superior stability compared to natural vanillin, maintaining its scent profile longer in products exposed to heat or light. It’s particularly valued for creating long-lasting vanilla accords that don’t fade quickly.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
IFRA approved for fragrance use
Not classified as an allergen
CAS
68527-76-4
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Sweet · Balsamic
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Ethyl vanillin propylene glycol acetal Smell Like?

Ethyl vanillin propylene glycol acetal opens with a rich, boozy vanilla note reminiscent of vanilla extract in rum, with a subtle caramelized sugar facet. As it develops, the scent becomes creamier, like vanilla custard with a whisper of powdery heliotrope. The dry-down reveals a smooth, slightly woody vanilla that lingers close to the skin. Compared to regular vanillin, it has less sharpness and more rounded, gourmand character with exceptional tenacity.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Spicebomb Extreme(Viktor&Rolf, 2015)

Used here to create the long-lasting vanilla base that complements the spicy tobacco accord, providing sweetness without becoming cloying.

Black Opium(Yves Saint Laurent, 2014)

Contributes to the addictive gourmand quality, blending with coffee and white flowers for a modern oriental vanilla.

La Vie Est Belle(Lancôme, 2012)

Enhances the praline and iris accord with a persistent vanilla sweetness that defines the fragrance’s signature.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

Phenol, 2-ethoxy-4-(4-methyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-yl)-

SMILES: CCOC1=CC(=CC=C1O)C1OCC(C)O1

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

Ethyl vanillin propylene glycol acetal is a synthetic aromatic compound derived from vanillin. It’s created through the acetalization of ethyl vanillin with propylene glycol, which improves its stability and modifies its olfactive properties. This chemical modification increases molecular weight and reduces volatility compared to vanillin, resulting in better performance in fragrance applications. The acetal group makes it more resistant to oxidation and pH changes, making it particularly useful in soaps and detergents where regular vanillin would discolor.

Physical & Chemical Properties

AppearanceColorless to pale yellow liquid
Boiling Point>200 °C (estimated)
Density~1.1 g/cm³ (estimated)

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Middle to base
Volatility
Moderate (2-6 hours)
Blending
Excellent with gourmand and oriental accords
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance1-3%Up to 5%Base note in oriental and gourmand compositions
Home Care0.5-1.5%Up to 2%Provides stable vanilla notes in detergents
Candles2-4%Up to 6%Heat-stable vanilla character

Classic Accords

Tip: Use to replace vanillin when longer lasting power and better stability are needed, particularly in alkaline formulations.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Ethyl vanillin CAS 121-32-4

More intense but less stable vanilla note, useful when sharper top notes are desired.

2
Vanillin propylene glycol acetal CAS 68527-74-2

Softer, more powdery vanilla character without the ethyl group’s intensity.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

No restrictions under current IFRA standards (as of 49th Amendment).

RIFM Assessment

RIFM has evaluated this material and found it safe for current fragrance use levels.

Sustainability

As a synthetic material, ethyl vanillin propylene glycol acetal doesn’t require vanilla bean cultivation, reducing pressure on natural resources. Its production from petrochemical precursors follows standard industrial processes. The improved stability means less material is needed over time compared to natural vanillin, potentially reducing environmental load.

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References

  1. Bauer, K. et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH.
  2. IFRA Standards Library (2023). 49th Amendment. IFRA

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

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Ingredient Data Sheet

CAS 68527-76-4

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight224.25 g/mol🔬 PubChem
LogP (Octanol-Water)1.7🔬 PubChem
Boiling Point160 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
log Kp (skin permeability)-2.861💻 Calculated
SMILESCCOC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C2OCC(O2)C)O🔬 PubChem

Volatility & Performance

Fragrance NoteHeart💻 Calculated

Odor & Flavor

Primary Descriptorssweet• leffingwell
Functional Groupsphenoletheraromatic💻 RDKit
Ethyl vanillin propylene glycol acetal has a vanilla-like odor.📖 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: DTXSID70867662

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight 224.256 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
Density 1.149 g/cm^3📊 OPERA
Boiling Point 316.978 °C📊 OPERA
Melting Point 68.918 °C📊 OPERA
Flash Point 153.113 °C📊 OPERA
Refractive Index 1.525 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
Molar Volume 193.917 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 1.795 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 5.5) 1.75 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 7.4) 1.154 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 8.99 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
Water Solubility 0.007 mol/L📊 OPERA
Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

Transport Properties

Vapor Pressure 0 mmHg📊 OPERA
Viscosity 21.476 cP📊 OPERA
Surface Tension 41.687 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
Thermal Conductivity 139.087 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA

Molecular Descriptors

Topological Polar Surface Area 47.92 Ų💻 Computed
H-Bond Donors 1 count💻 Computed
H-Bond Acceptors 4 count💻 Computed
Rotatable Bonds 3 count💻 Computed
Aromatic Rings 1 count💻 Computed
Molar Refractivity 59.391 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
Polarizability 23.544 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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