What Is Amyl Cinnamal Diethyl Acetal?
Amyl Cinnamal Diethyl Acetal is an aroma molecule created in the early 1960s during a wave of research aimed at broadening the palette of floral notes available to perfumers. Chemically it is the diethyl acetal of amyl cinnamaldehyde, produced through an acetalisation step that stabilises the parent aldehyde and makes the material easier to formulate with. The process is fully synthetic, relying on petroleum-derived alcohols and carefully controlled catalytic reactions rather than any direct extraction from plants.
At room temperature the ingredient is a clear mobile liquid with a faint yellow tint that deepens very slowly as it ages. It pours easily, sits comfortably at just under water’s density and shows a refractive index typical of many perfume oils, which helps blenders gauge purity at a glance. Because the flashpoint is around 110 °C the material is classed as relatively safe to handle under normal manufacturing conditions and ships without the strictest transport restrictions.
Perfumery houses consider Amyl Cinnamal Diethyl Acetal a workhorse floral modifier. It slots neatly into both prestige and functional products which means it turns up in fine fragrance, soap bases, shampoos and even scented candles. The cost is moderate so it offers a good balance between performance and budget, making it attractive for large scale production. Despite this versatility it is not as universally stocked as some older staples, largely because only a handful of suppliers make it and formulators often reach for it when they want a specific twist rather than a generic floral note.
What Does Amyl Cinnamal Diethyl Acetal Smell Like?
This ingredient is grouped into the floral family. Off a blotter it opens with a bright yet soft floral impression that immediately suggests fresh jasmine petals. Within seconds a playful red berry nuance peeks through, lending a subtle fruit sweetness that keeps the profile from feeling overly heady. As the scent settles the floral facet remains clear and natural, avoiding the sharpness some synthetic jasmines can show.
Perfumers often describe fragrances in terms of top, middle and base notes. Top notes are the light molecules you notice first, middle notes unfold after a few minutes and base notes linger the longest. Amyl Cinnamal Diethyl Acetal firmly occupies the middle note space. It rises quickly after the volatility of the true top notes fades then holds its character for several hours before quietly tapering off.
Projection sits in the moderate range: strong enough to be noticed within arm’s length yet polite enough for daily wear. Longevity on a blotter runs about six to eight hours which is ample for most compositions. In a full formula the ingredient supports the heart of a fragrance, bridging fresh top notes with deeper bases while adding a clean floral glow that persists without stealing the spotlight.
How & Where To Use Amyl Cinnamal Diethyl Acetal
This is a surprisingly friendly material to handle. It pours cleanly, behaves well in blends and does not throw any unpleasant surprises while you are working.
Perfumers reach for Amyl Cinnamal Diethyl Acetal when they want to brighten the heart of a fragrance with a fresh blooming jasmine feel that is neither indolic nor powdery. It slips neatly into white floral accords, boosts fruity florals by echoing berry facets and even lifts gourmet bases that need a soft petal sheen. When a formula already carries plenty of headspace jasmine from more intense molecules, this acetal offers a gentler way to extend that theme without pushing the composition into overwhelming territory.
Typical usage sits anywhere from a trace up to about 2 percent in fine fragrance. Functional products that need stronger retention on fabric can climb toward 4 or 5 percent, though most formulators stay lower to keep cost and regulatory limits in check. At a whisper dose it simply rounds edges and adds lift. At fuller strength the red berry nuance becomes more obvious and the whole material reads sweeter, almost giving a jammy glow that can support fruity top notes.
The ingredient holds up well in soap, shampoo and detergent bases, resisting the high pH that can break down some aldehydes. It is also candle friendly thanks to a flashpoint of 110 °C, though you may notice a softer projection in wax compared with alcohol bases. The main limitation is its total water insolubility, so for sprays or mists you must pre dissolve it in alcohol or a co solvent like DPG before emulsifying.
Prep work is minimal. Weigh the neat liquid, then make a 10 percent ethanol or DPG dilution for easy pipetting and skin evaluation. Because the optical rotation is neutral and the color very pale, visual checks for purity are straightforward. No antioxidants are usually required but storing the stock in an amber bottle will slow any long term yellowing.
Safety Information
Working with any concentrated fragrance ingredient calls for sensible precautions and this molecule is no exception.
- Always dilute before evaluation: Prepare a 10 percent solution before smelling to avoid overwhelming the nose.
- Never sniff directly from the bottle: Use a blotter or smelling strip to control exposure.
- Ensure good ventilation: Blend in a fume hood or a well aired space to keep airborne levels low.
- Wear protective gear: Gloves and safety glasses prevent accidental skin or eye contact.
- Health considerations: Some aroma chemicals can trigger irritation or allergies. Consult a medical professional before use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding and avoid prolonged or high level exposure.
Always refer to the most recent MSDS supplied with your batch and check back regularly for updates. Follow any applicable IFRA guidelines to keep usage within recommended limits and ensure a safe, compliant formula.
Storage And Disposal
Unopened drums or bottles of Amyl Cinnamal Diethyl Acetal typically stay in spec for about two years. Once you start dipping into the stock you can still expect solid performance for 18 to 24 months provided you store it with care.
A cool dark shelf is usually enough although a spot in the fridge will stretch shelf life even further. If you choose refrigeration bring the bottle back to room temperature before opening to avoid condensation inside the neck.
Oxidation is the main enemy of this material. Keep bottles topped up so the air gap stays small and swap out any loose droppers for tight-sealing polycone caps on both neat material and dilutions. Light can slowly yellow the liquid so amber glass or opaque HDPE is recommended and always park containers away from radiators or direct sun.
Label every container clearly with the full name, date of opening and any hazard pictograms from the MSDS. Good labeling saves guessing games later and helps everyone in the lab stay compliant.
When a batch finally reaches the end of its useful life do not pour it down the drain neat because it is water insoluble and only slowly biodegradable. Mix small leftovers with an absorbent like sand or kitty litter then dispose of the solidified mass as chemical waste according to local regulations. Larger quantities should go to a licensed disposal facility that can handle organic solvents. Rinse empty bottles with a little solvent, add the rinsate to your waste container and recycle the clean glass or plastic where facilities exist.
Summary
Amyl Cinnamal Diethyl Acetal is a synthetic floral note that leans heavily on fresh jasmine petals backed by a playful red berry vibe. It sits in the heart of a perfume where it adds lift and gentle sweetness without turning indolic or powdery.
Because it is easy to handle and reasonably priced it shows up in everything from fine fragrance to soap, detergent and candles. Perfumers like the way it rounds white floral accords, brightens fruity blends and even polishes gourmand bases. Usage levels are flexible so it works both as a subtle modifier and as a more prominent signature.
Popularity wise it is not a mass-market superstar yet it occupies a reliable niche for creators who want a clean modern jasmine effect. Keep an eye on air exposure to maintain color and scent integrity and remember that while cost is moderate the ingredient is best reserved for formulas that can showcase its specific berry-kissed floral glow.
In short it is a fun tool for any perfumer’s kit offering versatility, stability and a charming scent profile that can lift a wide range of creative ideas.