What Is Cinnamyl Propionate?
Cinnamyl propionate is an aroma compound first noted by perfume chemists in the late 1920s. It belongs to the family of cinnamyl esters that were investigated as alternatives to natural cinnamon leaf oil.
Commercial batches are produced by reacting cinnamyl alcohol with propionic acid under controlled heat and pressure. The result is a clear mobile liquid that looks almost colorless, sometimes showing a faint straw tint if stored for long periods.
Although it can be sourced from plant material, the version used in modern perfumery is almost always synthetic. This choice keeps quality consistent and avoids the seasonal swings that affect natural harvests.
At room temperature the liquid is neither thick nor sticky and pours easily. The density is slightly higher than water and the flashpoint is high enough to make handling straightforward in a normal lab setting.
Cinnamyl propionate shows up in a broad range of finished products, from fine fragrances to household cleaners, because it survives both heat and alkaline conditions. Supply is stable and large-scale manufacturing keeps the price in a moderate bracket, so it is not viewed as a luxury raw material.
What Does Cinnamyl Propionate Smell Like?
Perfumers file this material in the spicy family. Off a blotter it opens with a warm cinnamon-type spice that quickly mingles with a ripe stone-fruit note, similar to apricot flesh just before it turns soft. A gentle resinous sweetness follows, giving a round balsamic echo rather than sharp woodiness.
The first impression appears within seconds, so it acts as a mid-speed top note. The core character lasts for several hours and then settles into the background without leaving a heavy trail, placing it in the upper part of the heart register.
Projection is moderate, meaning it radiates far enough to be noticed in personal space but will not dominate a room. On a blotter the scent remains detectable for six to eight hours before fading, which translates to a steady contribution inside a finished perfume without overstaying its welcome.
How & Where To Use Cinnamyl Propionate
Most perfumers agree this ester is a pleasure to handle. It pours cleanly, does not cling to glassware and washes out with a quick wipe of ethanol. The scent profile also behaves in a friendly way, giving clear feedback on a blotter instead of hiding for hours.
Formulators reach for it when they need a warm cinnamon touch that feels juicy rather than dusty. It slides neatly into peach, apricot or plum accords where a spicy sparkle keeps the fruit from smelling flat. In gourmand concepts it teams up with vanillin or ethyl maltol to suggest cinnamon‐dusted pastry without turning the whole thing into red hot candy.
Because the molecule is balsamic in the drydown it can replace a slice of benzoin or storax, smoothing transitions between heart and base. Many rose themes gain depth from a hint of it: the material links the floral core to resinous woods while adding a subtle jammy twist.
Typical inclusion ranges from a trace up to 5 percent of the concentrate. At tenths of a percent it merely fluffs out existing spice notes. At 1–2 percent it comes forward with fruity warmth. Push it past 3 percent and the profile turns richer and slightly sweet, sometimes overshadowing delicate florals, so balance is key.
Aroma changes with dilution too. In high concentration the first hit feels almost woody, while at 10 percent it smells rounder and more reminiscent of cinnamon sugar. Always blend a working solution in ethanol or dipropylene glycol before judging its fit.
No special prep work is needed apart from the standard routine of making a 10 percent dilution for the organ and labeling the bottle with the flashpoint. The liquid resists alkaline cleaners, so any spills on benches can be removed with soap and hot water.
Safety Information
When handling any fragrance raw material, simple precautions keep the process safe and comfortable.
- Always dilute before smelling: create a working solution, wave the blotter gently under the nose and avoid direct sniffs from the neat bottle.
- Ventilation: blend and evaluate in a well ventilated space to prevent inhaling concentrated vapors.
- Personal protective equipment: wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses so the liquid never touches skin or eyes.
- Health considerations: some aroma chemicals can irritate skin or trigger allergies. Brief exposure at low levels is generally safe yet prolonged or high level contact can be harmful. Consult a medical professional before use if pregnant or breastfeeding.
Consult the latest supplier MSDS for full toxicological data and update your files whenever a new revision appears. Follow current IFRA guidelines for maximum dosage to ensure every formula remains compliant and safe for end users.
Storage And Disposal
Unopened drums or bottles of cinnamyl propionate stay in spec for roughly two years. Once a container is opened aim to finish it within 18 months, as oxygen and light slowly reduce brightness and can add a faint woody off note.
Refrigeration helps the material keep its spark but is not essential. A shelf in a cool dark cupboard away from radiators or direct sun is normally fine. Steady temperatures below 20 °C slow oxidation far better than cycling between hot and cold.
Choose bottles with polycone caps for both neat stock and dilutions. These liners create a snug seal that keeps air and moisture out. Dropper tops look handy yet often leak vapor and invite evaporation so avoid them for anything other than brief test blends.
Keep every bottle as full as practical. Transfer leftovers into a smaller vial rather than leave a large headspace, since less trapped air means less chance for the ester to age or polymerize.
Label each container clearly with the material name lot number flashpoint and the date you first opened it. Add a hazard pictogram if your local rules require one and store the safety data sheet in the same cupboard for quick reference.
Small laboratory quantities usually qualify as non-hazardous waste yet always check local regulations. The molecule is moderately biodegradable in soil but can persist in aquatic systems, so never pour bulk leftovers down the sink. Collect unwanted liquid in a sealed can and hand it to a licensed disposal contractor or community chemical drop-off. Rinse empty bottles with a little ethanol, let them air out then recycle the glass where facilities exist.
Summary
Cinnamyl propionate is a spicy fruity balsamic ester that gives perfumers an easy route to warm cinnamon nuance without the rough edges of natural oils. On a blotter it unfolds as ripe stone fruit dusted with soft spice then settles into a gentle resinous glow.
It slots into peach apricot plum gourmand or rosy accords, bridges floral hearts to sweet woody bases and can even stand in for a touch of benzoin. Cost sits in the mid range and the molecule puts up with heat alkaline cleaners and long macerations, making it a dependable workhorse for fine fragrance right through to detergents and candles.
The material pours cleanly behaves consistently and encourages creative play so most formulators view it as a fun trusty building block. Just remember to guard it from air and light, mind the 5 percent upper usage, and enjoy the juicy cinnamon lift it brings to a wide family of accords.