What Is Cinnamyl Isobutyrate?
Cinnamyl Isobutyrate is an ester first reported in fragrance literature in the late 1920s when chemists began exploring cinnamyl alcohol derivatives for their stability in soap making. It is produced by reacting cinnamyl alcohol with isobutyric acid in the presence of an acid catalyst then purifying the result to reach a typical assay of more than 97 percent. Because the process relies on well established petrochemical or biotechnological feedstocks the material is considered synthetic, although trace amounts can occur naturally in some plant volatiles.
At room temperature the ingredient is a clear mobile liquid that appears colorless to very pale yellow. It has a density a little above water and a refractive index typical of many fragrance esters which helps blenders predict how it will mix with other ingredients. Since it is practically insoluble in water it is usually diluted in alcohol or a carrier oil before use.
Perfumers reach for Cinnamyl Isobutyrate when they need a fruity accent that also holds up under the alkaline conditions of soap or detergent bases. Thanks to a flashpoint above 100 °C it ships easily and meets most safety regulations for consumer products. The material sits in the mid range of the price spectrum which makes it accessible for large volume household products yet refined enough for fine fragrance formulas. You will find it on the ingredient lists of everything from shampoos and softeners to scented candles.
What Does Cinnamyl Isobutyrate Smell Like?
This molecule is usually grouped in the fruity family of aroma chemicals. Off a blotter it opens with a mellow sweetness that recalls ripe apple and banana rather than sharp citrus. A gentle balsamic undertone gives the fruit a rounded feel suggesting a hint of warm syrup without becoming heavy or resinous. The overall impression is clean and mouthwatering with no harsh edges.
In perfumery the note behaves between the top and the heart. It rises quickly enough to be noticed within the first few minutes yet remains present for several hours, supporting brighter top notes as they fade and smoothing the transition into the floral or gourmand core of a composition. Projection is moderate so it adds a pleasant aura without overwhelming nearby notes. Longevity on a blotter is typically six to eight hours, making it a reliable backbone for fruity accords in both fine fragrance and functional products.
How & Where To Use Cinnamyl Isobutyrate
This is a friendly material to handle, easy to weigh and pour without the stickiness or overpowering odor that some fruity esters bring. It blends quickly into alcohol and most carrier solvents so you will not spend ages chasing it around the beaker.
Perfumers reach for Cinnamyl Isobutyrate when they want an apple-banana nuance that lasts longer than top-note acetates yet feels brighter than heavy lactones. It shines in red fruit, orchard fruit and tropical accords, adding a soft syrupy glow that helps marry citrus openings to floral or gourmand hearts. Because it survives alkaline conditions, it is a go-to for bar soap bases where natural fruit extracts would break down. In home care it masks detergent harshness and leaves a comforting after-smell on fabrics.
Typical usage sits anywhere from trace amounts up to about 3 percent of the concentrate, though some high-impact fruit shampoos might push it to 5 percent. At 0.1 percent it simply sweetens and rounds other notes. Around 1 percent the banana facet blooms and the material starts to read as a distinct fruity chord. Beyond 3 percent the balsamic back-tone can dominate and turn the blend syrupy so moderation is key if you want a sheer profile.
It partners especially well with hexyl acetate, cis-3-hexenol, ethyl maltol and creamy lactones for a juicy pastry effect. For sparkling clean florals, pair it with hedione or linalool in small doses to soften green edges without dragging the composition into gourmand territory. Avoid overloading in very fresh colognes as the sweetness may dampen desired lift.
Prep work is minimal. Dilute to 10 percent in ethanol or dipropylene glycol for accurate pipetting, and give the mix a quick swirl to ensure homogeneity before weighing into your formula. The material is stable so no antioxidants are usually required.
Safely Information
Although Cinnamyl Isobutyrate is considered low hazard, certain precautions and considerations are still necessary when working with it.
- Always dilute before evaluation: create a 10 percent solution in ethanol or another suitable solvent before smelling the material
- Avoid direct sniffing from the bottle: open bottles briefly and waft vapors toward the nose rather than inhaling head-on
- Ventilation: work in a well-ventilated space or under a fume hood to prevent buildup of vapor in the air
- Personal protective equipment: wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses to keep liquid away from skin and eyes
- Health considerations: some aroma chemicals can trigger irritation or allergic reactions, consult a doctor before use if pregnant or breastfeeding, and remember that prolonged or high-level exposure can be harmful even when low levels are generally safe
Always review the latest Safety Data Sheet supplied by your vendor and revisit it regularly as updates occur, and follow current IFRA guidelines for maximum allowable levels in each product category.
Storage And Disposal
When stored correctly Cinnamyl Isobutyrate remains in spec for about two to three years, sometimes longer if handled with care. Loss of freshness shows up first as a duller fruit note or a slight yellowing of the liquid. If you want to squeeze the maximum life from your supply a fridge set around 4 °C is ideal, though a consistently cool cupboard that stays under 20 °C works for most users.
Light and heat are the biggest enemies. Keep the bottle tucked away from windows, radiators or hot equipment. Clear glass is fine as long as the container sits in the dark, but amber glass adds an extra layer of protection if you expect frequent light exposure.
Use polycone caps on both neat material and dilutions because they form a tight seal that limits evaporation and oxygen ingress. Dropper tops or pipette caps look convenient yet they let in air and can trap residues that oxidise over time.
Try to store the material in the smallest practical bottle so the headspace stays minimal. Topping off partially emptied bottles with inert glass beads or transferring the remainder to a smaller vial helps slow oxidation.
Label every container clearly with the ingredient name batch number date of receipt and any hazard phrases from the Safety Data Sheet. Good labelling prevents mix-ups and makes end-of-life disposal easier.
For disposal follow local regulations. Small hobbyist quantities can often be adsorbed onto sawdust or cat litter then sealed in a bag and placed with chemical household waste. Never pour unused concentrate down the sink because the ester layer can persist in wastewater and may harm aquatic life before breaking down. Larger volumes should go to a licensed hazardous waste contractor that can process organic solvents for energy recovery or controlled incineration. Rinsed glass bottles may be recycled once completely free of residue.
Summary
Cinnamyl Isobutyrate is a synthetic ester prized for its sweet apple banana aroma that bridges top and heart notes. It offers a mellow fruity glow with a touch of balsamic warmth and it hangs around longer than most bright acetates.
Perfumers love it because it survives soap bases detergents and candles while adding an inviting orchard feel. It nests easily into red fruit tropical pastry and soft floral accords making it a fun building block for both fine fragrance and everyday products.
The material is mid priced stable and easy to handle yet you still need to watch dose levels so the syrupy side does not overpower lighter blends. Keep the bottle cool and well sealed and you will have a reliable go-to fruit note ready whenever your formula needs an extra splash of juicy sweetness.