What Is Hexenyl Benzoate Cis-3?
Hexenyl Benzoate Cis-3 is an aroma chemical first catalogued by perfumery researchers in 1965. Chemically it is an ester produced when cis-3-hexenol reacts with benzoic acid under controlled heat and the presence of a catalyst. Although the alcohol part of the molecule occurs in many green leaves the final material used by perfumers is almost always made in the lab to guarantee purity and a steady supply.
At room temperature the ingredient presents itself as a clear mobile liquid that blends with most common perfume solvents. There is no color to speak of so it will not tint a finished fragrance. The liquid nature also makes it easy to weigh and pour during formula work.
Perfumers reach for Hexenyl Benzoate Cis-3 when they need a discreet leafy nuance that sits between light fruity notes and deeper woody notes. It appears in fine fragrance as well as some high-quality functional products such as luxury soaps or candles. While not as common as the core musks or citruses it is far from rare and is stocked by most fragrance houses.
Cost wise it falls into the accessible bracket rather than the luxury tier so creators can use it generously without breaking the budget. It is vegan suitable, readily biodegradable and shows good stability in finished perfume bases, all of which add to its appeal.
What Does Hexenyl Benzoate Cis-3 Smell Like?
Most perfumers group this material in the green family. Off a fragrance blotter it opens with a soft cut-grass facet that is less sharp than pure cis-3-hexenol. A mild herb tone follows giving the impression of freshly crushed leaves rather than culinary herbs in a jar. The overall character is gentle, smooth and slightly sweet which helps it blend seamlessly with floral or fruity accords.
In the classic perfume pyramid top notes are the first impressions, middle notes form the heart and base notes linger the longest. Hexenyl Benzoate Cis-3 sits firmly in the middle zone. It is slow to appear compared with sparkling citrus tops yet fades earlier than the heavy woods and musks in the base. Because of this placement it acts as a bridge, extending the life of light green notes while easing the transition toward deeper accords.
Projection is moderate; it radiates just enough to be noticed without dominating surrounding notes. Longevity on skin or a blotter typically runs four to six hours, so it will still be present by the time the heart of a fragrance is in full bloom but will have mostly subsided before the dry-down.
How & Where To Use Hexenyl Benzoate Cis-3
In the lab this is a friendly material to handle: it pours easily, does not stain and has a pleasant low-key aroma that will not overpower the room while you work.
Perfumers slot it into green bouquets, dewy florals or modern fruity accords when they need a soft leaf nuance that feels more polished than raw cis-3-hexenol yet brighter than woody galbanum types. It excels at rounding off sharp grassy notes, adding naturalness to pear or apple effects and giving body to delicate muguet or rose hearts.
Usage levels normally sit between 0.1 % and 2 % of the finished concentrate, though going up to 5 % is possible in very green creations. In tiny trace amounts it simply freshens and sweetens other naturals; at 1 % the herbaceous facet becomes noticeable; above 3 % it starts to read almost leafy-floral and can push lighter florals into a garden-fresh territory. Overuse may blur crisp top notes and can mute some transparent musks, so balance is key.
The ingredient is welcome in fine fragrance, soaps and scented candles thanks to good stability. It is less successful in high-heat applications like reed diffusers driven by solvent evaporation where its low vapor pressure may keep it stuck in the bottle.
No special prep is required beyond the usual practice of making a 10 % dilution in ethanol or dipropylene glycol for easier weighing and smelling. Because it is biodegradable and vegan suitable it fits clean-label briefs without extra reformulation work.
Safety Information
A few sensible precautions keep work with Hexenyl Benzoate Cis-3 safe and straightforward.
- Always dilute before evaluation: work with a 10 % or weaker solution for smelling and blotter tests
- Avoid direct sniffing from the bottle: undiluted vapors can overload the nose and irritate mucous membranes
- Ensure good ventilation: a fume hood or open window prevents buildup of airborne material during weighing and blending
- Wear gloves and safety glasses: contact with liquid or accidental splashes can irritate skin or eyes
- Health considerations: some people may experience sensitisation or allergic reactions, pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should seek medical advice before exposure, prolonged or high-level contact can be harmful even though brief low-level use is generally considered safe
For complete peace of mind always review the supplier’s current safety data sheet and keep an eye on updates, and make sure your formula stays within any limits set by the International Fragrance Association guidelines.
Storage And Disposal
When kept in ideal conditions Hexenyl Benzoate Cis-3 generally remains in top form for around two to three years before any noticeable drop in quality. A faint loss of lift or a slightly heavier smell are the first signs that it is past its prime.
Refrigeration is not mandatory but a cool fridge set between 4 °C and 8 °C can add several extra months of freshness. If fridge space is tight a normal shelf in a cool dark cupboard away from direct sunlight heaters or windowsills will still work well.
Air management makes a big difference. Transfer dilutions into bottles that accept polycone caps because the soft insert forms a tight seal and limits slow evaporation. Avoid dropper bottles for long term storage since the rubber bulbs breathe and let oxygen creep in. Try to keep each bottle as full as possible by moving the remainder into smaller containers once the level drops. Less headspace means less oxidation.
Label every bottle clearly with the ingredient name concentration date and any hazard icons from the supplier’s SDS. Good labels stop mix-ups especially when several green materials live side by side on the bench.
Disposal is straightforward thanks to the material’s ready biodegradability. Small lab quantities can usually go with solvent waste that is sent for controlled incineration while rinsing emptied vials with a little alcohol before recycling the glass. Never pour bulk amounts straight down the drain. Check local regulations first because rules differ from place to place.
Summary
Hexenyl Benzoate Cis-3 is a lab-made ester that delivers a soft green cut-grass vibe with a gentle herb twist. It slips neatly into the heart of a composition where it links bright fruity tops to deeper woody bases.
Creative perks include easy handling friendly cost and solid stability in most fine fragrance soap and candle bases. It is vegan suitable readily biodegradable and accessible from many suppliers so it earns a regular spot on the perfumer’s palette.
Use it in tiny traces for fresh sparkle or push it to a couple of percent for a full leafy bloom. Just remember that very high dosages can muffle crisp tops and clash with some ultra-sheer musks.
All in all it is a fun versatile tool for giving realism to floral apple pear or garden themed accords and well worth exploring if you enjoy building modern green scents.