What Is 3-Phenylpropyl Cinnamate?
3-Phenylpropyl cinnamate is an ester that perfumers use to add richness and depth to many scented products. First identified by fragrance chemists in the late 1940s, it soon became popular because it could lend a naturally rosy nuance without relying on scarce botanical extracts.
Today the material is produced through a straightforward reaction between cinnamic acid and 3-phenylpropanol. This method ensures reliable quality and supply, so practically all volumes found on the market are of synthetic origin. Trace amounts may exist in certain plants, yet those levels are far too low for commercial harvesting.
At room temperature the ingredient appears as a slightly thick liquid that pours more slowly than water. Fresh batches look clear to very pale yellow and show no visible sediment. It is denser than water and does not dissolve in it, features that make it easy to separate during production.
The compound is widely used in fine fragrance as well as everyday items such as shampoos, soaps, detergents, softeners and scented candles. Its broad compatibility, good stability in most formulations and dependable supply keep it firmly in the workhorse category rather than the luxury niche, so formulators generally do not treat it as a high-cost component.
What Does 3-Phenylpropyl Cinnamate Smell Like?
Perfumers place this material in the floral family. On a blotter it opens with a full, deep rose note that feels plush rather than fresh. Almost immediately a sweet balsamic facet emerges, giving the impression of honeyed resin and smoothing any sharp edges. As the hours pass the scent becomes slightly warmer and more rounded, while the floral core stays detectable.
In the classic top, middle and base structure, 3-phenylpropyl cinnamate behaves mainly as a middle-to-base note. It is too weighty to sparkle at the very top, yet it is not so heavy that it sits only in the drydown. Instead it anchors the heart of a composition and then lingers, blending into the base to provide lasting rosy warmth.
Projection is moderate, so it will not overpower a blend but can still be noticed at arm’s length in the first few hours. Longevity is strong, often remaining clearly present on a blotter for six to eight hours and faintly detectable beyond that, which makes it a reliable choice when a perfumer wants floral depth that endures.
How & Where To Use 3-Phenylpropyl Cinnamate
This is an easygoing material to work with. It is not overly sticky, it blends quickly into most solvents and its rosy warmth shows up almost the moment you add it to a trial formula. Many perfumers keep a small bottle on the bench because it behaves predictably and seldom throws unwelcome surprises.
Within an accord it shines as the plush heart of floral themes, especially rose, peony or carnation. It rounds off sharp citric tops, deepens geranium bases and pairs beautifully with vanilla, benzoin or musks for a creamy finish. When formulating a modern rose that feels natural yet long lasting, this ester can replace part of costly rose absolute while extending the scent far beyond what naturals alone would offer.
Perfumers reach for it over more common phenyl ethyl alcohol when extra heft is needed or when they want a sweet balsamic undertone rather than a dewy freshness. It also proves useful in oriental or gourmand creations where a floral accent must stand up to heavy resins and ambers without getting lost.
Application range is broad. In fine fragrance and body care it performs well up to about 1 % of the total concentrate, though traces of 0.05 % can already impart a subtle rosy glow. For soaps, detergents and softeners formulators often push it higher, in the 1 – 3 % span, to compensate for the smell-dulling effect of surfactants. Candles tolerate similar levels, but too much can tip the balance into cloying territory, so test burns are essential.
Smell perception changes noticeably with strength. At low doses it whispers fresh rose petals. Mid levels give a richer honeyed bouquet. Above 2 % the balsamic sweetness dominates and can read almost resinous, so balancing with bright top notes or green modifiers helps keep the profile lively.
No special prep work is usually required, yet the ingredient can grow more viscous in a cool lab. Briefly warming the bottle in a water bath around 30 °C loosens it for accurate weighing. Because it is water-insoluble, premixing in a small amount of alcohol or dipropylene glycol before adding to aqueous bases promotes even dispersion.
Safety Information
Like all aroma chemicals, 3-phenylpropyl cinnamate calls for sensible precautions to ensure safe handling.
- Dilution first: Always dilute the material (typically 1 % in alcohol or dipropylene glycol) before evaluating the scent
- Avoid direct sniffing: Never smell straight from the bottle to prevent overwhelming the nose and respiratory tract
- Ventilation: Work in a well ventilated space or under a fume hood so vapors do not build up
- Personal protective equipment: Wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses to keep accidental splashes away from skin and eyes
- Health considerations: Some individuals may experience skin irritation or sensitization so discontinue use if redness occurs. Consult a physician before handling if pregnant or breastfeeding. Brief exposure to low levels is generally considered safe but prolonged contact or high concentration inhalation can be harmful
Always consult the latest Material Safety Data Sheet supplied by your vendor and review it regularly for updates. Follow current IFRA guidelines on maximum usage levels for each product category to keep finished formulas within accepted safety limits.
Storage And Disposal
When stored in ideal conditions 3-phenylpropyl cinnamate usually keeps its full olfactory quality for around two years, sometimes longer. Past that point it gradually dulls, picking up a faint fatty note as oxidation sets in.
A refrigerator set between 4 °C and 8 °C slows that process, yet room temperature storage still works if the bottle sits in a cool dark cupboard well away from radiators, windows or any direct sunlight. Consistent temperatures prevent condensation that can sneak in during repeated warming and cooling cycles.
Choose glass bottles with tight-sealing polycone caps for both neat material and dilutions. Droppers or pipette tops let air creep in so reserve those only for immediate laboratory use. Keep each container as full as practical or top off with inert gas to limit headspace oxygen and reduce oxidative stress.
Label every bottle clearly with the chemical name, date opened, dilution strength if any and the standard hazard icons. A quick note on flashpoint at 93 °C helps remind users to keep the liquid far from open flames or hot plates.
If a batch has oxidised or reached its expiry, do not pour it down the drain. Small quantities can be soaked into an absorbent material like cat litter then disposed of with household waste in accordance with local regulations. Larger volumes should go to a licensed chemical disposal service. The ester skeleton degrades slowly in the environment so controlled disposal prevents unnecessary load on waterways.
Summary
3-Phenylpropyl cinnamate is a synthetic ester that gives perfumes a plush rose heart wrapped in honeyed balsamic warmth. It slots neatly into floral, oriental or gourmand accords, stretching the life of natural rose notes and adding weight where lighter alcohols fall short. Easy handling, steady supply and reasonable cost keep it on many perfumers’ benches, yet its specific heavy floral profile means it shines most where depth rather than freshness is desired.
If you store it cool, keep bottles tightly closed and follow sensible safety habits this material remains stable and enjoyable to work with for years. For anyone building a fragrance wardrobe it is a fun building block that rewards experimentation across a wide range of product types.