What Is 2-Phenylethyl Cinnamate?
2-Phenylethyl cinnamate is an ester that first appeared in fragrance literature in 1893 during early studies on the aroma compounds of balsamic resins. Today it is produced on an industrial scale by reacting phenethyl alcohol with cinnamic acid in a classic Fischer esterification. The process is efficient and gives very high purity, with routine batches exceeding 98 percent assay.
Although small traces occur naturally in certain floral absolutes and balms, commercial supplies are almost always synthetic. This route guarantees consistent quality, ensures availability year-round and keeps the material at an accessible price point for most fragrance houses.
At room temperature the ingredient presents as fine white crystals that can clump together like coarse sugar. When gently warmed it softens into a clear liquid, which makes weighing and blending easier in the lab. It is insoluble in water yet dissolves readily in ethanol and most perfume oils.
Formulators appreciate its stability across a wide pH range as well as its generous flashpoint around 110 °C, features that let it move seamlessly from prestige fine fragrance to everyday household products. While it is not the most famous raw material on a perfumer’s bench it is a dependable workhorse that appears in more formulas than its low-profile reputation might suggest.
What Does 2-Phenylethyl Cinnamate Smell Like?
Perfumers place this molecule in the balsamic family, a group known for warm enveloping undertones that round out a blend.
Off a blotter the first impression is a smooth sweetness reminiscent of lightly spiced syrup. Almost immediately a gentle floral quality drifts in, recalling fresh rose petals glazed with honey. As the minutes pass the scent settles into a cozy balsamic core that hints at soft resin and a faint echo of vanilla.
In the language of perfumery a composition unfolds in three stages: top, middle and base notes. Tops are the quick volatiles you notice first, middles form the heart and bases linger longest. 2-Phenylethyl cinnamate sits firmly in the base note category. Its vapor pressure is low so it rises slowly and stays on the blotter for many hours, often well into the next day.
Projection is moderate. It does not shout across the room yet provides a noticeable cushion around the wearer, especially when paired with complementary woods or ambers. Longevity is impressive; traces can remain detectable on fabric for twenty-four hours or more which makes it valuable when a formula needs a lasting sweet-balsamic signature.
How & Where To Use 2-Phenylethyl Cinnamate
This is one of those easygoing materials that rarely fights you in the lab. Once the crystals are warmed into a liquid it pours smoothly and folds into most bases without drama.
Perfumers reach for it when they need a sweet balsamic cushion that leans slightly floral yet avoids the heaviness of benzoin or the stickiness of vanillin. It reinforces rose, ylang ylang and orange blossom accords, bridges spicy notes like cinnamon leaf or clove and rounds off woody amber blends. In a classic sandalwood accord a touch of 2-phenylethyl cinnamate can lift the creaminess while extending the drydown.
Used sparingly at trace to 0.5 percent of the total concentrate it adds a barely noticeable glow that softens rough edges. Between 1 and 3 percent the floral facet becomes more obvious, giving a honeyed petal effect that can modernise vintage-style orientals. Above 4 percent the material turns dominant, projecting a syrupy sweetness that may overwhelm lighter top notes, so balance with bright citrus or aromatic herbs if you push it that far.
Beyond fine fragrance it performs well in soaps, shampoos and candles because its flashpoint sits comfortably at 110 °C and the scent survives both alkaline and heat stress. It is less successful in very fresh aquatic themes where the balsamic warmth can feel out of place.
Preparation is minimal. Warm the closed bottle in a water bath at 40 °C for a few minutes to melt any remaining crystals, swirl to homogenise then weigh quickly to avoid recrystallisation on the spatula.
Safely Information
Although 2-phenylethyl cinnamate is considered a low-hazard ingredient it still warrants sensible handling.
- Always dilute before evaluation: prepare a 10 percent solution in ethanol or dipropylene glycol before putting it on a blotter
- Avoid direct sniffing from the bottle: concentrated vapours can overwhelm your nose and mask subtler nuances
- Ensure good ventilation: work under a fume hood or near an open window to prevent buildup of airborne aroma chemicals
- Wear protective gear: disposable nitrile gloves and safety glasses keep accidental splashes off skin and eyes
- Health considerations: esters can provoke irritation or sensitisation in some individuals, seek medical advice before use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding and limit prolonged exposure to high concentrations
Consult the latest material safety data sheet from your supplier and review it regularly as updates are common. Adhere to current IFRA guidelines for maximum usage levels in each product category to ensure consumer safety.
Storage And Disposal
When stored correctly 2-phenylethyl cinnamate retains its full character for a solid three to five years before any noticeable drop in odour quality. Keep the bottle tightly closed, limit air space and it will usually outlive the printed expiry date by a comfortable margin.
Refrigeration is not mandatory yet a shelf in the back of a fragrance fridge can add extra months of freshness by slowing oxidation. If cold storage is not available a cool cupboard away from sunlight, heaters and fluctuating temperatures works almost as well.
Use containers fitted with polycone caps. Their conical liners form an airtight seal that stops slow evaporation and keeps moisture out. Avoid dropper bottles, especially those with rubber bulbs, because they breathe and let oxygen creep in. Top up partial bottles with inert glass marbles or transfer the remainder to a smaller vial so the headspace stays minimal.
Label every vessel clearly with the ingredient name, concentration if diluted and any hazard phrases from the safety data sheet. Good labeling cuts down on mix-ups and helps anyone else in the studio understand what they are handling at a glance.
Disposal is straightforward thanks to the ester’s ready biodegradability and low aquatic toxicity. For small lab quantities wipe residues with a paper towel, bag it and place in regular trash or send to energy recovery where permitted. Larger volumes should be collected in a compatible drum and handed over to a licensed chemical waste contractor for high-temperature incineration. Never pour neat material into sinks, drains or surface water.
Summary
2-phenylethyl cinnamate is a sweet balsamic ester that smells like honeyed rose petals softened by warm resinous syrup. It sits in the base register, lasts for hours and blends effortlessly into florals, orientals, woods and even everyday soaps and candles.
Perfumers like it because it is affordable, stable and fun to use. A trace brings subtle roundness while higher levels deliver a lush floral glaze that can modernise vintage accords. Watch its sweetness in sheer aquatics, respect normal safety practice and store it snugly capped away from heat.
For anyone building a versatile bench of aroma chemicals this quiet workhorse deserves a spot. It is easy to handle, plays nicely with others and rewards creative dosing with an elegant long-lasting glow.