What Is Benzyl Propionate?
Benzyl Propionate is an aroma chemical valued by perfumers for its bright floral character. It is produced by Givaudan, a leading fragrance house, although many suppliers offer comparable versions under the same CAS number 122-63-4.
You might also see it labelled as Phenylmethyl propanoate, a longer name that refers to the same molecule. No matter the wording on a drum or bottle, the CAS number is the sure way to confirm you have the right material.
The ingredient is an ester, typically made by a controlled reaction between benzyl alcohol and propionic acid. The process is standard in flavour and fragrance production, giving a consistent, high-purity liquid suitable for blending.
At room temperature the material is a clear, colourless liquid that pours easily. It has no visible sediment and stays fluid even in cool storage rooms.
Benzyl Propionate is widely used in fine fragrance, personal care and functional products such as fabric softeners. Because it is produced at industrial scale it sits in the mid-range of raw material costs, making it accessible for both niche and mass-market formulas.
With proper storage the shelf life is roughly two to three years before any noticeable loss of strength. Perfumers tend to order it in quantities they will use within a year to keep the aroma at its freshest.
Benzyl Propionate’s Scent Description
This material slots into the floral family. On a blotter the first impression is a clear jasmine note lifted by a juicy fruit accent that recalls ripe apricot or peach skin. There is a gentle green touch that keeps the sweetness lively and prevents it from feeling heavy.
The note appears quickly after application, settles into the heart of a composition and lingers for several hours. Perfumers treat it as a middle note with top-note brightness. It bridges sparkling citrus openings to richer white-flower accords without weighing them down.
Projection is moderate, giving a tidy radius of scent that neither vanishes too soon nor dominates a blend. Longevity on a strip is measured in most of the workday, yet it rarely pushes into the final drydown, allowing deeper resins or musks to take over as the perfume evolves.
How & Where To Use Benzyl Propionate
Perfumers reach for Benzyl Propionate when they want to brighten a floral heart while weaving in a juicy fruit twist. It pairs especially well with jasmine absolutes, ylang, orange blossom and modern synthetic white-flower boosters. A few drops can pull a flat bouquet into focus giving it a sunlit lift that feels natural.
In fruity accords it rounds off sharp esters and lends a soft peach/apricot nuance that feels less acidic than straight peach aldehydes. It is a handy bridge between citrus top notes and creamy lactonic bases because it shares facets with both sides.
Typical use in fine fragrance sits anywhere from traces to 5 % of the concentrate. The supplier rates it safe up to 25 % in some functional bases such as fabric conditioners where higher levels are needed to survive the wash cycle. Start low because the material blooms as alcohol flashes off. At 0.1 % it whispers clean jasmine, at 1 % the fruit becomes obvious, above 5 % it can dominate and start to feel syrupy.
Over-use risks a cloying sweetness and can push a formula into air-freshener territory. It may also clash with certain musks giving a plasticky note if the balance is off.
The liquid blends smoothly into ethanol, DPG or TEC. Many perfumers keep a 10 % solution in alcohol for easy weighing then adjust the final concentration in the formula. No heating or special stirring is required, just ensure the stock bottle is at room temperature to avoid viscosity changes.
Benzyl Propionate has good detergent and soap bloom rated around three stars by the supplier, yet its substantivity on fabric or skin is modest so it shines best when supported by longer-lived florals or musks.
Safely Using Benzyl Propionate
Dilution is key. Always make a working solution before evaluating the scent to avoid overwhelming your nose and to judge the material under realistic conditions. Never smell directly from the bottle. Instead dip a scented blotter into a diluted sample and fan it briefly in open air.
Work in a well-ventilated space or under a fume hood to keep airborne concentration low. Wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses to protect skin and eyes from accidental splashes. Wipe benches promptly because the ester can penetrate some plastics over time.
Although Benzyl Propionate is readily biodegradable it can still cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding consult a medical professional before prolonged handling. Brief exposure to low concentrations is generally considered safe yet avoid inhaling or touching neat material for extended periods.
Spills are best absorbed with inert material like vermiculite then disposed of according to local chemical waste regulations. Do not pour large amounts down the drain as aquatic toxicity is rated harmful.
Always read the most recent safety data sheet supplied with your batch. Guidelines can change as new research emerges so keep a copy on file and review it periodically. Follow current IFRA standards for maximum use levels in each product category to ensure your formulas remain both compliant and safe.
How To Store & Dispose of Benzyl Propionate
Keep Benzyl Propionate in a tightly closed amber glass or fluorinated plastic bottle. A cool dark cupboard is usually enough, but a dedicated fragrance fridge at around 5 °C can extend potency well past two years. Whichever option you choose place the container away from direct sunlight heaters or any source of ignition.
Use polycone caps for both neat material and working dilutions. They provide a more reliable seal than dropper tops which often wick the liquid and allow slow evaporation. Fill bottles as close to the shoulder as practical then top them up when levels drop. Limiting the headspace cuts down on oxygen contact and slows oxidation that can dull the scent or create off notes.
If you need smaller volumes decant with clean dry funnels and label each vial immediately. Note the chemical name CAS number dilution strength and date. This simple habit prevents mix-ups and helps track age related changes.
Store dilutions away from reactive acids or bases since esters can hydrolyze over time. Keep absorbent pads under the shelf to catch drips that might soften some plastics.
When a batch is no longer fit for use collect it in a sealed container marked “Organic Solvent Waste.” Although the molecule is readily biodegradable its concentrated form is harmful to aquatic life so do not pour it down household drains. Small hobby amounts can go with other perfume residues to a local hazardous drop-off. Larger volumes should be handled by a licensed chemical disposal service that will burn or treat the waste under controlled conditions.
Rinse empty bottles with a little ethanol, add the rinse to your waste drum then wash thoroughly with detergent before recycling. Remove or deface old labels so the container does not get reused for food or drink by mistake.
Summary
Benzyl Propionate is a Givaudan-made ester prized for its bright jasmine aroma lifted by a juicy peach-like facet. It functions as a middle note that bridges citrus openings to creamy white flowers giving extra sparkle without heaviness.
Its moderate cost and solid performance in perfume shampoo and fabric care explain why it appears in both niche and mass-market formulas. Stability is good across a broad pH range yet oxidation can creep in if bottles sit half empty for months, so good storage practice is essential.
Use levels range from trace touches for a delicate clean effect up to 5 % in fine fragrance or higher in functional bases. Always check IFRA limits before scaling production.
You can buy Benzyl Propionate in drum or pail sizes direct from Givaudan or authorized distributors. Smaller amounts for hobby work are available through specialty perfume supply shops and reputable online resellers that offer the same CAS-matched molecule from generic producers.