What Is Ethyl Cinnamate?
Ethyl Cinnamate is an aroma chemical belonging to the ester family. Symrise lists it in their catalogue yet other fragrance houses and raw material traders also offer versions with comparable purity.
The molecule is produced by reacting naturally derived or synthetic cinnamic acid with ethanol in the presence of an acid catalyst. After purification it appears as a clear liquid that can look almost water-like or take on a faint straw tint if it has been stored for a while.
Because it stays stable at room temperature and has a flash point well above everyday ambient heat it is easy for perfumers to handle. When kept in a tightly closed amber bottle away from direct light and strong heat it will usually retain full quality for roughly two to three years.
Ethyl Cinnamate shows up in all sorts of fragranced goods including fine perfume, candles, soaps, shampoos and household cleaners. Its versatility paired with ready availability keeps the price in the low to medium range, so it is rarely considered a luxury raw material.
The ingredient is readily biodegradable which helps manufacturers meet modern environmental expectations without extra formulation hurdles.
Ethyl Cinnamate’s Scent Description
Perfumers place Ethyl Cinnamate in the aromatic family thanks to its warm spicy character.
On a blotter the first impression is a smooth cinnamon note that feels gentler than raw cinnamon bark oil. A sweet balsamic undertone quickly follows, bringing to mind resinous styrax and a hint of vanilla dusting. As the minutes pass a soft floral nuance peeks through, giving the overall profile a rounded, almost powdery elegance.
Fragrance notes are often described as top, middle and base. Top notes greet the nose then fade fast, middle notes form the heart and linger longer, base notes provide the lasting trail. Ethyl Cinnamate sits between heart and base: it rises after the earliest volatiles lift off yet it still clings to the blotter well into the drydown.
Projection is moderate, meaning it radiates enough to be noticed without overwhelming a space. Longevity is impressive for a mid-weight molecule, remaining detectable on paper for a day or two and anchoring lighter accords in a finished perfume.
How & Where To Use Ethyl Cinnamate
Perfumers reach for Ethyl Cinnamate when they need a refined cinnamon warmth that blends easily into floral or balsamic accords. It slips neatly between spicy top notes and sweet resinous bases, stitching the two together without adding rough edges.
In white floral bouquets a trace can give a creamy jasmine or ylang ylang accord a sun-kissed tropical nuance. In an oriental build it lifts vanilla and benzoin while keeping the mix from feeling syrupy. It also boosts the powdery side of violet, heliotrope or orris, adding depth without obvious spice if kept under one percent.
Use levels normally sit between 0.1 % and 3 % in fine fragrance. Candles, soaps or detergents often need a little more to survive heat or alkaline conditions so formulators push toward the 5 % upper limit. At very low doses it smells like soft styrax and honeyed petals. Once the percentage climbs the cinnamon quality grows and can dominate, sometimes reading as craft-store potpourri if overdosed.
Overuse risks include unwanted sweetness, flattening of bright top notes, or a cloying warmth that masks delicate details. Because the molecule is quite substantive build the concentration gradually, smelling test strips after each addition rather than relying on memory.
No special pre-dilution is required for stability though working solutions at 10 % in a neutral carrier make weighing and pipetting easier. The material is already inhibited against oxidation yet keeping the work bottle tightly closed will slow color change.
Ethyl Cinnamate handles well in both alcohol and oil bases. For water-based products incorporate it through a solubilizer or microemulsion to prevent separation. Always run stability checks in high pH cleaning formulas because prolonged alkaline exposure can promote hydrolysis and dull the scent.
Safely Information
Handling any aroma chemical demands a few basic precautions to protect both the creator and the finished product.
- Dilute before evaluation: mix a small amount into alcohol or a neutral carrier so the scent can be judged accurately and safely.
- Avoid direct sniffing: never smell straight from the bottle as the concentrated vapors can overwhelm the nose and irritate mucous membranes.
- Ensure ventilation: blend and evaluate in a well-ventilated space or under a fume hood to keep airborne levels low.
- Wear protective gear: gloves and safety glasses prevent accidental skin or eye contact with the neat liquid.
- Mind personal health: some aroma chemicals can trigger irritation or allergic reactions especially on sensitive skin. Consult a healthcare professional before use if pregnant or breastfeeding. Brief exposure to low concentrations is generally considered safe but prolonged or high-level exposure can be harmful.
Always consult the most recent safety data sheet supplied with the batch and revisit it periodically in case of updates. Follow current IFRA guidelines for maximum concentration in each product type to ensure consumer safety and regulatory compliance.
How To Store & Dispose of Ethyl Cinnamate
Keep Ethyl Cinnamate in a tightly sealed amber glass bottle placed in a cool dark cupboard away from strong light or heat sources. Refrigeration is not essential yet it can help stretch the usable life especially if you work slowly through a large supply.
Choose caps with a polycone liner for both neat material and dilutions. These liners grip the bottle neck and block air better than ordinary plastic tops. Dropper bottles look handy but they rarely seal fully so oxygen can sneak in and dull the scent.
Try to store the liquid in containers that are almost full. A small air gap limits contact with oxygen and slows color change or off notes caused by oxidation. If you split a bulk supply into several smaller bottles you can open one at a time while the rest stay untouched.
Label every container clearly with the ingredient name, the date it was filled and any handling cautions noted on the safety data sheet. Clear labels save time during blending and lower the risk of mix-ups.
For disposal, small hobby amounts can be wiped up with an absorbent material then placed in household trash as Ethyl Cinnamate is readily biodegradable. Larger volumes should go to a local chemical disposal or household hazardous waste facility in compliance with regional rules. Never pour leftover perfume concentrate or wash water straight into drains or soil.
Summary
Ethyl Cinnamate is a clear liquid ester that offers a smooth cinnamon note backed by sweet balsamic and soft floral hints. Sitting between heart and base it bridges bright spice and creamy resin making it a handy tool in floriental, tropical flower and powdery accords.
Its stability, ready biodegradability and moderate price have earned it a steady place on the perfumer’s shelf. Although sturdy it can oxidize if left open too long so tight caps and cool storage help keep the aroma fresh. At modest levels it rounds a blend while high doses can dominate with potpourri style spice so measure with care.
Commercial studios can source high purity material straight from Symrise or other bulk suppliers. Small-batch makers and hobbyists will find repackaged options from specialty retailers and online raw material shops often available in 10 or 50 gram bottles for easy testing.