What Is Hexenyl Benzoate Cis-3?
Hexenyl Benzoate Cis-3 is a specialty aroma molecule used by perfumers to lend subtle green woodiness to a blend. It is sold under a trademark by IFF, a global fragrance house, though other suppliers offer comparable forms under generic names.
The material is created through an esterification process in which benzoic acid is reacted with cis-3-hexenol, a naturally occurring alcohol found in leafy plants. The resulting liquid is clear and colorless at room temperature with a medium viscosity that pours easily from a bottle or drum.
Perfumers reach for Hexenyl Benzoate Cis-3 when they want a mild green accent without the sharp bite of stronger leaf notes. It finds its way into fine fragrance, body care and occasionally in home scent products. Usage is widespread but not yet as universal as classic woody staples such as Iso E Super, so it still adds a touch of uniqueness to a formula.
Under typical storage conditions the ingredient remains in good shape for about two years before it starts to lose freshness. In most price lists it sits in the mid tier, neither a bargain nor an extravagant splurge, making it accessible for both niche and mainstream projects.
Hexenyl Benzoate Cis-3’s Scent Description
Most professionals place this molecule in the woody family, yet its first impression leans toward leafy green. On a blotter it opens with the smell of freshly crushed stems mixed with a gentle cucumber-like coolness. Within minutes a soft, slightly sweet wood accord emerges, reminiscent of young twigs and clean bark. There is also a faint herbaceous thread that keeps the character natural and outdoorsy rather than perfumey.
In the traditional top, middle and base framework Hexenyl Benzoate Cis-3 sits mainly in the heart. It does appear early thanks to its green facet but its woody body anchors it well into the drydown, bridging lighter top notes and heavier fixatives.
Projection is moderate so it supports without overwhelming nearby elements. On a blotter the note remains detectable for six to eight hours, gradually fading into a soft woody veil that lingers long after the greener tones have departed.
How & Where To Use Hexenyl Benzoate Cis-3
Perfume builders turn to Hexenyl Benzoate Cis-3 when they want to slip a hint of crisp greenery into a woody heart without stepping on the top notes. It blends well with cedar, sandalwood and soft musks, sharpening their outline while keeping the mood calm and natural. In a green floral accord it can give lift to rose or lily of the valley, preventing them from feeling heavy.
At very low dosages it behaves like a seasoning, brightening leafy facets that already exist in a formula. Around 0.2 % you get a clearer herbal glint that reads almost like freshly cut stems. Push it toward 1 % and the woody side grows stronger, adding body to light woods such as iso e super. Above 2 % the material starts to dominate, which can flatten brighter notes and leave a slightly oily feel, so most perfumers cap it near 5 % unless they are after a pronounced green-wood signature.
The ingredient finds its best home in fine fragrance, colognes and high end body mists. It can also round out natural-leaning room sprays where a subtle herb backdrop is welcome. In very fresh detergents it may get lost to the surfactant bite, so formulators often swap it for sharper hexenyl acetates in that field.
Over-use risks include a dull mid phase that drags the perfume’s tempo and an awkward mismatch if combined with sweet gourmand notes. If testing above 3 % keep smelling on skin over a full day to catch any late emerging weight.
No special prep is needed beyond the usual practice of making a 10 % alcohol or triethyl citrate dilution for bench work. The liquid mixes cleanly with most carrier solvents and shows good stability in finished bases. Give the concentrate a gentle roll before sampling to make sure any settled trace impurities are re-suspended.
Safely Using Hexenyl Benzoate Cis-3
Dilution is key before you even smell this material. Make a small working solution, then evaluate from a blotter or strip rather than inhaling from the bottle. Always handle it in a space with good airflow so stray vapors do not build up. Protective gloves and safety glasses keep accidental splashes off skin and eyes.
Like many aroma chemicals, Hexenyl Benzoate Cis-3 can cause skin irritation or trigger an allergy in sensitive users. Brief contact at low strength is usually fine yet repeated or high level exposure raises the risk. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding check with a healthcare professional before using any fragrance raw material.
Avoid breathing dense fumes, and wash hands thoroughly after handling concentrates. Keep food and drinks away from the workbench to prevent accidental ingestion. Should a spill occur wipe it up with an absorbent towel then wash the area with soapy water.
The most up to date safety profile always sits in the supplier’s Material Safety Data Sheet. Review that document often because limits and warnings can change as new research appears. Also confirm that your final formula stays within the current IFRA usage levels for its product type to ensure both legal and consumer safety.
How To Store & Dispose of Hexenyl Benzoate Cis-3
A cool dark cupboard is usually enough to keep Hexenyl Benzoate Cis-3 fresh, but light refrigeration at around 5 °C can squeeze out an extra season or two of prime scent. Whichever route you choose make sure the bottle stays away from heaters sunny windows and any source of ignition.
Air is the quiet enemy of most aroma chemicals. Try to work with smaller fill sizes so each bottle sits almost full and swap to a new container as stock runs down. Polycone caps give a tight seal that limits both air and leaks, while dropper tops often let vapors creep out and should be avoided for long term storage.
Label every bottle with the material name batch date and basic hazard icons so there is no confusion on the bench. A date stamp helps track freshness and encourages timely re-testing.
Spare dilutions belong in the same cool dark zone as the neat material. Keep them upright in a plastic tray so spills are easy to catch. If you ever notice cloudiness or an off smell it is time to bench test the concentrate and decide whether to discard.
For disposal remember the ingredient is readily biodegradable yet it can still pose a local water issue in large amounts. Small lab leftovers can be soaked into paper then placed in normal refuse per local rules. Bigger volumes should go into a sealed container for professional chemical waste handling. Never pour concentrate straight down the drain. Rinse empty bottles with warm soapy water before recycling the glass or plastic.
Summary
Hexenyl Benzoate Cis-3 is a colourless woody green aroma molecule made by IFF that slips a soft herb tone into the heart of a perfume. It lifts cedar sandalwood and gentle florals without stealing the spotlight and sits in the formula as a polite middle note for four to six hours.
Perfumers like it for its clean consistent odour its fair price and its knack for giving natural freshness without the harsh edge of stronger green materials. Stability is solid for two to three years if you guard it from heat light and air though a fridge will stretch that margin.
The ingredient is widely stocked by commercial fragrance houses in drum or kilo size. Hobbyists and indie makers can pick up smaller packs from third party resellers or generic producers that follow the same CAS standard.
Handle the liquid with gloves dilute before smelling and stick to current IFRA limits for safe use. Store it cool and tightly capped then dispose of any leftovers responsibly to keep both your workspace and the wider environment in good shape.