What Is Cis-3-Hexenyl Tiglate?
Cis-3-Hexenyl Tiglate is an ester that perfumers add when they want to recreate the lively scent of freshly crushed leaves blended with ripe fruit nuances. It was first reported in the late 1970s during research into the natural compounds released by cut grass and tropical flowers.
In the lab it is produced by reacting cis-3-hexenol with tiglic acid, a straightforward esterification process that gives a high-purity result. While small traces exist in some fruits and green plants, the material used in fragrance work is almost always made synthetically for consistency and purity.
At room temperature you would see a clear colorless liquid that moves easily when the bottle is tilted. It is light enough to handle without looking syrupy yet dense enough that a drop holds together on a glass rod.
Cis-3-Hexenyl Tiglate turns up in many functional products as well as fine fragrance, so supply is steady and it is generally viewed as a mid-range ingredient pricewise. Perfumers like it for its easy-to-blend character and the lift it can give to fruity or green accords.
What Does Cis-3-Hexenyl Tiglate Smell Like?
This molecule usually sits in the fruity family.
On a blotter the very first impression is that of snapped green stems paired with a cool banana note, almost as if you peeled the fruit in a garden after a summer rain. Within a few minutes a gardenia nuance peeks through, adding a creamy floral touch that softens the raw greenery. As the minutes pass the fruit aspect becomes rounder while a light leafy tone stays in the background, keeping everything fresh and natural.
In the pyramid of top, middle and base notes cis-3-Hexenyl Tiglate lives squarely in the top, flashing its brightest facets within the first half hour before settling into the heart where it supports other fruity or floral elements. It is not built for depth in the finish and rarely survives into the drydown on its own.
Projection is lively yet not loud, making itself known at arm’s length without overwhelming a space. Longevity is short to medium; expect the standout character to last around two to three hours on skin or paper before it fades into a gentle green whisper.
How & Where To Use Cis-3-Hexenyl Tiglate
Most perfumers find this a friendly material that behaves well on the blotter and in the beaker. It pours easily, dissolves with little fuss in alcohol and standard perfume bases, and its odor profile stays true during the blending process.
You would normally reach for it when a composition needs an instant hit of juicy realism at the top. It slots neatly into apple, pear or banana accords, freshens melon notes and lifts leafy facets in garden compositions. When a green floral feels too stiff a small dose of cis-3-hexenyl tiglate can add a playful tropical twist without pushing the scent into full-on fruit cocktail territory.
In fine fragrance it often sits between traces and 1 %, rarely above 2 % unless the brief demands a very bold splash of fresh-cut greenery. Functional products tolerate up to about 3-5 % in the concentrate thanks to the material’s good stability at moderate heat and in most surfactant systems. That said, in very alkaline cleaners its fruity top can thin out quickly so alternatives like hexyl acetate may hold better.
Concentration makes a big difference to how the note reads. At low levels it whispers crunchy leaves and damp stems. Push it higher and the banana-gardenia facet jumps forward giving a rounder tropical feel. Overdosing can swamp delicate white florals so balance it with crisp citruses or airy musks if you want to keep transparency.
No special prep work is needed beyond a quick premix in ethanol or dipropylene glycol when formulating water-based sprays or high surfactant shampoos. The material is insoluble in water so adding it neat to an aqueous phase will cause separation.
Safety Information
As with any aroma chemical a few sensible precautions will keep handling cis-3-hexenyl tiglate safe and straightforward.
- Always dilute before evaluation: prepare a 10 % solution in alcohol or a fragrance base before smelling so you avoid nasal fatigue and potential irritation
- Never smell directly from the bottle: use a scent strip or smelling jar to assess the odor
- Work in a well-ventilated area: good airflow prevents build-up of vapors that could cause headaches or dizziness
- Personal protective equipment: wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses to keep the liquid away from skin and eyes
- Health considerations: some people may experience skin irritation or sensitization so discontinue use if redness occurs consult a doctor before handling if pregnant or breastfeeding and remember that short low-level exposure is generally safe but prolonged or high-level exposure can be harmful
Responsible handling also means consulting the latest supplier MSDS for full toxicological data and following IFRA guidelines for any current usage limits. These documents are updated from time to time so keep them on file and review them regularly.
Storage And Disposal
Unopened drums and well sealed bottles usually keep their full strength for about two years, sometimes longer, when stored with care. Once you start dipping into the stock expect the odor quality to stay crisp for at least 12 to 18 months before it slowly loses punch.
Refrigeration is helpful but not vital. A shelf in a cool dark cupboard away from sunlight, heaters and radiators is normally enough. Aim for a steady temperature in the low teens to high teens Celsius rather than the swings you get in a garage or attic.
Choose bottles with polycone caps for both neat material and dilutions. Their soft insert hugs the neck and blocks air far better than dropper tops that can leak or let vapor escape. Each time you decant try to move the liquid into a smaller bottle so the headspace stays minimal because less air means less oxidation.
Keep containers upright, wipe the rim after pouring, and store them in a chemical tray to catch spills. Label every bottle with the name, the percentage if diluted, the date you mixed it and quick safety notes such as “flammable” and “irritant.” Good labeling saves time and cuts accidents.
When you have leftovers you no longer need, never pour them down the sink. Small amounts can be soaked into sand or cat litter then sealed in a plastic bag and taken to a household hazardous waste site. Larger volumes should go through a licensed disposal service. The molecule is not classed as readily biodegradable so responsible disposal protects waterways and soil.
Summary
Cis-3-Hexenyl Tiglate is a lab made ester that adds a rush of green fruity sparkle to a formula. Think crushed stems mixed with banana and a hint of creamy gardenia sitting right in the top notes.
Perfumers reach for it when they need instant freshness in apple, pear, melon or tropical blends and when a floral accord feels too rigid. It is easy to handle, blends cleanly and behaves well in fine fragrance, soaps, shampoos, candles and cleaners which makes it a fun workhorse across many projects.
The material is mid priced, fairly stable in most bases and happiest in the opening of a scent so pair it with longer lasting fruits or musks if you need support in the drydown. Respect its short shelf life by storing it cool and tightly sealed and you will keep the scent lively for many months.