Octyl crotonate (CAS 22874-79-9) — Green Top Note Fragrance Ingredient

Green · Citrus

Octyl crotonate

CAS 22874-79-9

Origin
synthetic
Note
Top
IFRA
Use with awareness
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is Octyl crotonate?

Octyl crotonate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient used in perfumes and personal care products. It contributes a fruity, slightly green aroma that enhances freshness in formulations. This ester is valued for its ability to add a crisp, diffusive top note that blends well with citrus and herbal accords.

Safety Profile

USE WITH AWARENESS
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
Approved for fragrance use
Potential skin sensitizer at high concentrations
CAS
22874-79-9
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Green · Citrus
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Octyl crotonate Smell Like?

Octyl crotonate opens with a burst of crisp green apple peel and underripe pear, underscored by a subtle vinyl-like sharpness. As it evolves, the heart reveals a waxy, slightly floral character reminiscent of magnolia petals. The dry-down is clean and transparent, leaving a faint trace of crushed stems and dewy leaves. Its moderate tenacity makes it ideal for creating airy, naturalistic top notes that don’t overwhelm compositions.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Green Tea(Elizabeth Arden, 1999)

Used to enhance the crisp, just-brewed tea leaves impression, adding a subtle fruity sharpness that complements the citrus top notes.

Un Jardin Sur Le Nil(Hermès, 2005)

Provides a green, slightly unripe mango facet that integrates with the grapefruit and tomato leaf accord.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

Octyl 2-butenoate

SMILES: CCCCCCCCOC(=O)C=CC

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

Octyl crotonate is an ester formed from crotonic acid and octanol. As a synthetic material, it’s typically produced via acid-catalyzed esterification. The molecule features an α,β-unsaturated carbonyl group that contributes to its reactivity and distinctive odor profile. Its moderate chain length provides optimal volatility for top note applications while maintaining sufficient persistence.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling PointNot available
DensityNot available

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Top
Volatility
Medium (1-2 hours)
Blending
Good
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance0.5-2%Up to 5%Adds crisp green accents
Functional Fragrance0.1-0.5%Up to 1%Used in detergents for fresh notes

Classic Accords

+ Galbanum + Grapefruit = Modern green chypre + Calone + Melon = Aquatic freshness

Tip: Use with aldehydes C-8 to C-12 to create sparkling green effects.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Hexyl crotonate CAS 19089-92-0

Shorter chain version with brighter, more citrusy character. Better for lemon-lime accords but less persistent.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

No IFRA restrictions currently apply to octyl crotonate (as of 51st Amendment).

GHS Classification

H315 Skin irritation H319 Eye irritation

RIFM Assessment

RIFM has evaluated octyl crotonate and found it safe for current fragrance use levels.

Sustainability

As a synthetic material, octyl crotonate has consistent quality and doesn’t require agricultural land. Production typically uses petrochemical feedstocks, though bio-based routes are being explored. Its efficient use at low concentrations minimizes environmental impact.

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References

  1. Bickers et al. (2003). The safety assessment of fragrance materials. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology. PMID 14623481

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

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Ingredient Data Sheet

CAS 22874-79-9

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight198.3 g/mol🔬 PubChem
LogP (Octanol-Water)4.2🔬 PubChem
Boiling Point241 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
Vapor Pressure0.0178 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA
Flash Point118.8 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
Involatility Index0.0014💻 Calculated
log Kp (skin permeability)-0.928💻 Calculated
SMILESCCCCCCCCOC(=O)C=CC🔬 PubChem

Volatility & Performance

Fragrance NoteHeart💻 Calculated
Volatility ClassVery slow💻 Calculated
Persistence Score3.8 / 5💻 Calculated

Odor & Flavor

Primary Descriptorscitrusgreen• leffingwell
Functional Groupsesteretheralkene💻 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: DTXSID3051880

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight 198.306 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
Density 0.898 g/cm^3📊 OPERA
Boiling Point 250.505 °C📊 OPERA
Melting Point -34.459 °C📊 OPERA
Flash Point 124.304 °C📊 OPERA
Refractive Index 1.444 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
Molar Volume 223.713 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 4.341 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 5.5) 4.341 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 7.4) 4.341 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 5.95 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
Water Solubility 0 mol/L📊 OPERA
Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

Transport Properties

Vapor Pressure 0.013 mmHg📊 OPERA
Surface Tension 28.485 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 8 count💻 Computed
Aromatic Rings 0 count💻 Computed
Molar Refractivity 59.476 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
Polarizability 23.578 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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