What Is Cis-3-Hexenyl Butyrate?
Cis-3-Hexenyl butyrate is an aroma ingredient first isolated by flavor researchers in the early 1950s while they were studying the natural scents of freshly picked fruit. Today it is produced on an industrial scale by joining cis-3-hexenol with butyric acid in a simple esterification step. This controlled reaction guarantees a high level of purity and steadier quality than could be obtained by extracting the molecule from plants.
The finished material arrives as a clear colorless liquid that flows easily at room temperature. It is light in weight compared with water and shows a modest flashpoint which makes it uncomplicated to handle in a normal fragrance lab. Because the ingredient is made in large volumes and the raw materials are readily available it falls into the lower price bracket of specialty esters, so perfumers can use it generously without driving costs up.
Cis-3-Hexenyl butyrate is widely used in fine fragrance, personal care and home care formulas. Its high assay and low acid value mean it stays stable in most media from alcohol to detergent bases. This reliability, paired with its cheerful character, has turned it into a staple on the perfumer’s palette.
What Does Cis-3-Hexenyl Butyrate Smell Like?
This molecule sits squarely in the fruity family. On a smelling strip it opens with the snap of just bitten green apple and pear skin. Within seconds a cool leafy tone joins in, evoking crushed garden mint and fresh cut grass. As it settles a soft strawberry nuance surfaces, rounded by a hint of melted butter and a faint splash of white wine that adds lift rather than booziness.
Perfumers classify it as a top note because its light structure evaporates quicker than heavier woods or musks. It shines in the first stage of a fragrance, giving an immediate green fruit impression that wakes up the senses. After roughly thirty minutes the brightness starts to fade and the material moves quietly into the background, leaving room for middle notes to take over.
Projection is lively at first, easily diffusing across a room, yet it calms down before becoming intrusive. Longevity is modest, typically lasting one to two hours on a strip before dropping to a whisper. This brief life span is an advantage when the goal is to create a sparkling opening that never overstays its welcome.
How & Where To Use Cis-3-Hexenyl Butyrate
This is one of those easy going materials that makes you look clever with very little effort. It pours well, blends quickly and does not fight with most other ingredients so it is pleasant to handle in the lab.
Perfumers reach for it when they want a quick splash of crisp green fruit at the top of a composition. It is a first choice for building apple, pear or fresh strawberry accords and it slots neatly into leafy notes that need extra juiciness. Paired with citrals it pushes a lemonade vibe, teamed with ionones it sweetens violet leaves and when set beside lactones it turns a peach accord into a sorbet.
Because the molecule is light it works best in top note heavy styles such as colognes, shampoo fragrances or room sprays where sparkle is more important than staying power. In candles and soaps it survives the manufacturing process without breaking apart yet you may need to raise the dose to keep it noticeable through the burn or cure.
Typical usage falls anywhere from a trace to 5 % of the concentrate. At 0.1 % you get a sheer leafy lift that barely shows its name. Around 1 % the apple and pear tones step forward and at 3 % or more the buttery strawberry facet becomes obvious. Overdosing can make the scent feel candy like so balance it with greener or tarter elements if that is not your goal.
Prep work is minimal. A 10 % solution in ethanol or dipropylene glycol gives finer control when you only need a whisper. Otherwise you can weigh it neat straight from the bottle since it stays liquid at room temperature.
Safety Information
Like all aroma chemicals this material requires a few commonsense precautions to keep work both safe and enjoyable.
- Always dilute before smelling: prepare a blotter or solution first to avoid overwhelming your nose and respiratory tract.
- Never sniff directly from the bottle: headspace can be much stronger than expected and may cause irritation.
- Work in a well ventilated area: good airflow prevents buildup of vapors during weighing or blending.
- Wear gloves and safety glasses: contact with neat material can dry or irritate skin and accidental splashes may affect eyes.
- Health considerations: some people can experience skin irritation or allergic reactions. Consult a doctor before handling if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Short encounters with low levels are generally safe while long or high level exposure should be avoided.
Always review the latest Safety Data Sheet from your supplier and check it regularly for updates. Follow any applicable IFRA guidelines on maximum use levels to ensure your finished product stays both enjoyable and safe.
Storage And Disposal
When kept under the right conditions Cis-3-Hexenyl butyrate stays fresh for around two years before its aroma starts to dull. Some batches last longer but plan on rotating stock every 24 months to be safe.
Refrigeration is a quick way to stretch that life span yet it is not essential. A shelf in a cool shaded cupboard away from heaters and sunny windows works almost as well. Light and warmth speed up oxidation so darkness and steady temperature are your friends.
Seal each bottle with a tight polycone cap. These caps grip the neck and block air far better than the rubber bulbs found on dropper tops. Skip the droppers for long term storage and only use them when you are measuring out small amounts in the lab.
Try to keep bottles as full as practical. Less headspace means less oxygen sitting above the liquid which slows down the formation of off notes. If you decant a small supply for day-to-day blending top up the main container with inert gas or move the remaining liquid into a smaller bottle.
Label every container clearly with the material name batch date and any hazard symbols. A quick glance should tell anyone what is inside and how to handle it.
For disposal small lab quantities can usually be collected with other organic solvents and sent to a licensed chemical waste handler. Do not pour it down the drain as it is not readily soluble in water and could harm aquatic life. If a spill happens soak it up with sand or paper towel place the waste in a sealed bag and follow local regulations for flammable liquid disposal.
Summary
Cis-3-Hexenyl butyrate is a bright green fruity ester that gives an instant apple pear and soft strawberry lift to any fragrance. Easy on the wallet and gentle to blend it shows its best in top notes for fine perfume haircare cleaning products and even candles.
It is popular because it does a lot of work for little cost adding juicy freshness without stealing the show. Stability is good across most bases though the scent fades after an hour or two so pair it with longer lasting materials if you need staying power.
Whether you are sketching a summer orchard accord or simply want to wake up a dull formula this ingredient is pure fun to play with. Keep an eye on oxidation store it well and it will reward you with clean crisp fruit every time.