What Is Cinnamyl Butyrate?
Cinnamyl butyrate is an ester created by linking cinnamyl alcohol with butyric acid. The compound first appeared in the perfume industry archives in the late 1940s, when chemists were exploring new fruity notes to modernise post-war fragrance formulas. Today it is produced on an industrial scale through a controlled esterification process that starts with petrochemical or naturally fermented raw materials, giving a high-purity product suitable for fine fragrance use.
The finished ingredient is a clear, mobile liquid that stays colourless when kept in good storage conditions. At room temperature it pours easily, showing a density just a touch heavier than water. Because it is practically insoluble in water it is usually handled in alcohol or oil solutions during compounding.
Cinnamyl butyrate falls into the affordable bracket of aroma chemicals, so perfumers can dose it generously without pushing a formula over budget. It is stocked by most fragrance houses worldwide, making it readily available for everything from prestige perfume briefs to functional products like soaps and candles. This broad accessibility is helped by the molecule’s good chemical stability which allows it to survive high-temperature soap making or candle pouring without breaking down.
What Does Cinnamyl Butyrate Smell Like?
Perfumers classify cinnamyl butyrate in the fruity family. Off a blotter it opens with a bright fruitiness that recalls ripe plum and white grape. Within a minute or two a gentle floral nuance peeks through, adding a petal-soft lift that keeps the note from feeling syrupy. As the scent dries the fruit becomes slightly winey, almost like a splash of young cognac, and a faint spicy warmth shows up in the background.
In terms of evaporation curve, cinnamyl butyrate starts in the upper-mid range but settles quickly into the heart of a composition. It bridges top notes such as citrus or berry into richer middle themes built around florals or woods. While not a base material, it does leave a subtle imprint that can be noticed several hours later, especially on fabric.
Projection sits at a comfortable medium level. It will not dominate a blend yet it radiates far enough to give a cheerful fruity halo. Longevity is moderate to good: expect clear presence for four to six hours on skin with traces lingering longer in hair or clothing.
How & Where To Use Cinnamyl Butyrate
Cinnamyl butyrate is a friendly material to handle and most perfumers enjoy its easygoing character. It pours smoothly, behaves well in blends and brings an instant splash of juicy brightness that perks up test mods without much fuss.
In a composition it shines as a linker between sparkling top notes and a soft floral or woody heart. Think of it as a plum-grape ribbon that ties together bergamot and rose or lifts a cognac accord sitting under tobacco and amber. When a formula feels flat or thin in the mid zone this ester is one of the first tools many reach for before trying heavier fruit lactones.
Typical usage sits anywhere from a trace to about 3 percent in fine fragrance, creeping to 5 percent in soaps or candles where some of its nuance is burned off by heat. At low doses it delivers a gentle white-grape freshness, while higher levels push the profile toward sweet wine with a spicy twist that can read almost balsamic. Too much can muddy a blend, so build up in small increments, checking how the winey warmth balances with other fruits.
Cinnamyl butyrate performs especially well in fruity-floral bouquets, modern chypres, gourmand cognac themes and any functional product that needs a welcoming fruit pop. It is less convincing in green aromatic or marine styles where its sweetness can feel out of place.
Prep work is minimal: weigh the neat material, then pre-dilute to 10 percent in ethanol for fine fragrance trials or in a solvent like DEP or DPG for candle testing. Because it will not dissolve in water, always blend it into the oil or alcohol phase before emulsion. A gentle warm-water bath may be used if the liquid has thickened in cold storage, but avoid prolonged heat.
Safely Information
Like all aroma chemicals, cinnamyl butyrate calls for sensible precautions during handling to keep the creative process both safe and enjoyable.
- Always dilute before smelling: prepare a 10 percent or weaker solution on a scent strip instead of sniffing straight from the bottle
- Ventilation: work in a well-ventilated space or under a fume hood to limit inhalation of concentrated vapors
- Personal protective gear: wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses to stop accidental contact with skin or eyes
- Health considerations: some individuals may experience irritation or sensitization so monitor any reaction, avoid prolonged exposure to high levels and consult a healthcare professional if pregnant or breastfeeding
For complete peace of mind always refer to the latest Material Safety Data Sheet from your supplier, review it regularly for updates and follow any IFRA guidance on maximum dose levels appropriate to your product type.
Storage And Disposal
When kept in ideal conditions unopened bottles of cinnamyl butyrate remain in spec for roughly two years. Once a bottle is in use aim to finish it within 18 months since repeated exposure to air will slowly dull the fruity tone.
Refrigeration is helpful but not vital. A cool cupboard that stays below 20 °C, shielded from daylight and heaters, will protect the ester well enough for routine work. Whichever spot you choose make sure the bottle stays upright and away from sources of ignition because the flashpoint sits at 110 °C.
For dilutions use bottles fitted with polycone caps. The plastic insert hugs the glass thread and gives a far tighter seal than droppers or press-fit pipettes, cutting down on both leaks and evaporative loss. Try to decant into a container that the liquid will almost fill; a small headspace means less oxygen and slower oxidation.
Label every bottle with the material name, its dilution strength, date of creation and any hazard phrases listed on the supplier SDS. Clear labels save time during blending and help other studio users stay safe.
If you need to dispose of old stock first check local regulations. In most regions small amounts may be diluted in an inert carrier such as vegetable oil, absorbed onto cat litter then sealed in a bag and placed with household refuse. Larger volumes should go to a licensed chemical waste facility. The molecule is an ester that breaks down under normal environmental conditions but pouring it down the sink is still discouraged.
Summary
Cinnamyl butyrate is a clear fruity ester made from cinnamyl alcohol and butyric acid that slips easily into the mid zone of a fragrance.
It smells like juicy white grape and ripe plum with a gentle floral lift and a touch of young cognac warmth, making it perfect for fruity-floral, gourmand or modern chypre ideas.
Perfumers love it because it is affordable, broadly available and stable enough to survive soaps, shampoos and candles without a fight. Just remember it is water insoluble and can turn muddy if overdosed so build up in small steps.
All in all it is a fun, versatile tool that adds instant brightness to a blend while keeping the budget in check, which explains why it has stayed popular since first hitting formula sheets in the 1940s.