What Is Cis-3-Hexenyl Hexanoate?
Cis-3-Hexenyl hexanoate is an aroma material belonging to the class of esters that perfumers reach for when they need bright freshness in a formula. First documented in the late 1960s, it emerged from research into the natural scent molecules released by freshly cut fruit. Although tiny traces occur in apples, pears and some leafy greens, the commercial product you find in fragrance labs is almost always made synthetically. Manufacturers start with cis-3-hexenol, react it with hexanoic acid, then purify the resulting ester to achieve a purity above 96 percent for the desired cis-3 isomer.
At room temperature the ingredient is a clear mobile liquid that looks colorless or faintly straw yellow, similar to very light cooking oil. It has a modest density that lets it blend well with most fragrance solvents yet it stays stubbornly separate from water. As with many other short-chain esters, the flashpoint sits around 110 °C, giving it enough thermal stability for most everyday product bases.
In the palette of a perfumer this material is considered a workhorse. It shows up in fine fragrance, soaps, shampoos and even scented candles so it is by no means rare. Its price sits in the affordable range which means creative teams can use it at noticeable levels without blowing the budget. For that reason it appears in a broad mix of mass and prestige compositions, earning a reputation as both dependable and versatile.
What Does Cis-3-Hexenyl Hexanoate Smell Like?
Perfumers group this molecule into the fruity family. Off a blotter it opens with a vivid burst of just-cut green apple blended with a hint of ripe pear and a gentle leafy nuance. There is a crisp juiciness that feels almost mouth-watering, followed by a subtle creamy edge that rounds off the sharp green facets so the effect stays pleasant rather than biting.
When explaining a perfume’s life cycle we break it into top, middle and base notes. Tops are what you notice first, middles shape the heart once the opening calms, bases linger after everything else fades. Cis-3-Hexenyl hexanoate clearly falls into the top zone. It flashes in the first minutes, sets an uplifting mood then quietly steps back to let floral or woody partners take over. Expect its projection to be lively yet not overpowering, filling personal space without crowding the room.
On a blotter the ingredient typically lasts about two to three hours before slipping below the threshold of easy detection. In a finished perfume blend that lifetime can stretch a little longer when anchored with heavier materials. Still, its main task is to deliver an immediate, energetic fruit-green accent that makes the first impression sparkle.
How & Where To Use Cis-3-Hexenyl Hexanoate
First off, this is a fun material to play with. It pours easily, stays clear and clean, and its scent jumps out of the beaker the moment you crack the cap.
Perfumers reach for it when they need an instant snap of just-cut fruit. It shines in top notes of apple, pear, melon and fresh berry accords and also lifts green florals like lily of the valley or violet leaf. When a brief, sparkling opening is missing, a touch of this ester can be all that is needed.
You would pick it over other fruity esters when you want a greener edge rather than pure sweetness. Ethyl maltol gives candy, ethyl butyrate gives pineapple, but cis-3-hexenyl hexanoate gives orchard realism with a grassy twist. It also blends well with citrus and herbal notes, adding natural freshness without turning the perfume into juice bar territory.
In fine fragrance the usual dose sits between 0.1 % and 1 %, though playful colognes can push to 3 % and soaps may tolerate up to 5 %. At traces it behaves almost like a modifier, quietly polishing other notes. At higher levels the fruity-green character becomes obvious, sometimes demanding a creamy or musky back-support to avoid a sharp bite.
The ingredient is generally forgiving. No special antioxidants or stabilisers are required and it mixes smoothly into alcohol or most oil bases. Just give the bottle a gentle roll before weighing in case any cooled storage caused stratification, then measure accurately because a few extra drops can tilt the whole accord.
Safely Information
Like all aroma chemicals, a few sensible precautions keep your workspace safe and your nose happy.
- Always dilute before smelling: Prepare a 10 % or weaker solution on a blotter instead of sniffing straight from the bottle.
- Avoid direct inhalation: Work in a well-ventilated area or under a fume hood so high vapour concentrations do not build up.
- Wear basic PPE: Gloves prevent skin contact and safety glasses shield eyes from accidental splashes.
- Health considerations: Esters can irritate sensitive skin or trigger allergies. If pregnant or breastfeeding consult a medical professional before prolonged handling. Short, low-level exposure is generally safe but long or repeated high-dose exposure can be harmful.
Always check the current safety data sheet from your supplier and review it regularly because updates are common. Follow IFRA guidelines for maximum use levels in each product category to ensure your creations stay both beautiful and safe.
Storage And Disposal
When handled with care, a sealed bottle of cis-3-hexenyl hexanoate keeps its punchy apple scent for roughly two to three years at room temperature. Tuck the same bottle into a refrigerator and you can often stretch viability to around five years before noticeable fade or discoloration sets in.
Day-to-day storage is straightforward. Place the material in a cool dark cupboard away from direct sunlight and heat sources such as radiators or windowsills. Sudden temperature swings speed up oxidation so aim for a steady environment around 15-20 °C.
Use bottles fitted with polycone caps for both neat material and dilutions. These caps compress against the glass or plastic neck to give a tight seal that keeps air and moisture out. Avoid dropper tops because they allow slow evaporation and can stick over time. Whenever possible store the ingredient in a container that is almost full. Less headspace means less oxygen and that means slower degradation.
If you are working from a large stock bottle decant only what you need for a few weeks into a smaller vial. This simple habit limits repeated cap-off exposure of the main supply.
Label every bottle clearly with the chemical name, strength of any dilution, date filled and basic hazard symbols. Good labels prevent mix-ups and make future disposal easier.
Regarding disposal, the ester is readily biodegradable yet it should never be poured straight down the drain. Small hobby-scale leftovers can be absorbed onto paper towels or kitty litter then sealed in a bag and placed in household trash that will be incinerated. Larger commercial quantities should go to a licensed chemical waste handler who can recycle the solvent or burn it under controlled conditions. Always rinse empty bottles with a little alcohol before recycling the glass or plastic.
Summary
Cis-3-hexenyl hexanoate is a synthetically produced fruit-green ester that gives any blend an instant flash of fresh apple and pear. It works best in the top notes of fine fragrance, soaps, shampoos, candles and even cleaning products. Formulators value it because it is affordable, stable in most bases and easy to handle.
The aroma is bright juicy and slightly leafy so it slots neatly into orchard accords, lifts florals and adds realism to citrus openings. It is a playful ingredient that invites experimentation yet it fades fast so pairing it with a creamy or musky backdrop can extend the effect.
Cost is moderate, stability is good if you keep it cool and well sealed, and the scent profile is specific enough to read as natural fruit without drifting into candy territory. All of that makes it a staple on the perfumer’s bench and a reliable tool for anyone looking to sprinkle lively freshness into a formula.