Vanillic Acid

Overview IFRA Botanical Request a quote

  • Identifiers

    CAS number
    121-34-6

    Molecular formula
    C8H8O4

    SMILES
    COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C(=O)O)O

    Safety labels

    Irritant
    Irritant

  • Odor profile

    Vanilla 74.31%
    Sweet 67.14%
    Phenolic 65.72%
    Balsamic 60.04%
    Creamy 51.87%
    Powdery 45.27%
    Spicy 39.47%
    Milky 39.47%
    Smoky 36.65%
    Aromatic 33.25%

    Scent© AI

  • Properties

    XLogP3-AA
    1.4

    Molecular weight
    168.15 g/mol

    Vapor pressure est.

    • hPa @ 20°C
    • hPa @ 25°C

    Evaporation rate
    Ultra slow

    Boiling point est.
    344°C

    Melting point expt.

    • 211.5 °C

    Flash point est.
    163.9 ˚C

    Solubility expt.

    • 1500 mg/L (at 14 °C)
    • 1.5 mg/mL at 14 °C
    • slightly soluble in water; soluble in organic solvents
    • soluble (in ethanol)

  • Synonyms

    • Vanillic acid
    • 4-HYDROXY-3-METHOXYBENZOIC ACID
    • 121-34-6
    • Acide vanillique
    • p-Vanillic acid
    • Benzoic acid, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-
    • 3-Methoxy-4-hydroxybenzoic acid
    • m-Anisic acid, 4-hydroxy-
    • Vanillate
    • VanillicAcid
    • Protocatechuic acid, 3-methyl ester
    • NSC 3987
    • MFCD00002551
    • NSC 674322
    • 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-Benzoic acid
    • UNII-GM8Q3JM2Y8
    • 4-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoate
    • EINECS 204-466-8
    • GM8Q3JM2Y8
    • BRN 2208364
    • CHEBI:30816
    • AI3-19542
    • NSC-3987
    • NSC-674322
    • VA
    • CHEMBL120568
    • DTXSID6059522
    • FEMA NO. 3988
    • DROXIDOPA METABOLITE (VA)
    • 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy benzoic acid
    • 2-METHOXY-4-CARBOXYPHENOL
    • NSC674322
    • M-METHOXY-P-HYDROXY-BENZOIC ACID
    • Acid, Vanillic
    • VA (VAN)
    • VNL
    • 4-hydroxy-m-Anisic acid
    • Vanillinsaure
    • p-Vanillate
    • Vanilic acid
    • 4-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoicacid
    • 4 Hydroxy 3 methoxybenzoic Acid
    • p Hydroxy m methoxy benzoic Acid
    • p-Hydroxy-m-methoxy-benzoic Acid
    • Acid, 4-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic
    • Acid, p-Hydroxy-m-methoxy-benzoic
    • 4-hydroxy-m-Anisate
    • Vanillic acid (M2)
    • Vanillic acid, 97%
    • Vanillic acid (Standard)
    • bmse000486
    • bmse000614
    • bmse010205
    • WLN: QVR DQ CO1
    • VANILLIC ACID [MI]
    • 3-Methoxy-4-hydroxybenzoate
    • SCHEMBL26179
    • MLS000574833
    • 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-Benzoate
    • Vanillic acid, >=97%, FG
    • 4-hydroxy-3methoxy benzoic acid
    • DTXCID1033668
    • HY-N0708R
    • 4-hydroxyl-3-methoxybenzoic acid
    • NSC3987
    • 4- hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid
    • HMS2197E16
    • Protocatechuic acid 3-methyl ester
    • HY-N0708
    • STR02334
    • BBL011982
    • BDBM50337364
    • CK2172
    • s5343
    • STL163472
    • AKOS000113195
    • CCG-266343
    • FH00443
    • NCGC00247610-01
    • 1ST40128
    • AC-11841
    • BP-13246
    • SMR000156289
    • SY001450
    • DB-003804
    • Vanillic acid, purum, >=97.0% (HPLC)
    • CS-0009728
    • NS00014581
    • V0017
    • 4-HYDROXY-3-METHOXYBENZOIC ACID [FHFI]
    • C06672
    • EN300-105765
    • Vanillic acid, Vetec(TM) reagent grade, 97%
    • AM-331/20714013
    • Q419672
    • Z381356666
    • Vanillic acid, certified reference material, TraceCERT(R)
    • 3E9555E5-85F5-4FCE-A429-5182E959C6A3
    • InChI=1/C8H8O4/c1-12-7-4-5(8(10)11)2-3-6(7)9/h2-4,9H,1H3,(H,10,11
    • 204-466-8

  • Applications

    Vanillic acid (CAS 121-34-6) is an aromatic phenolic acid naturally present in vanilla beans, green tea, fermented rice and numerous fruits, and it is widely employed as a key intermediate for the industrial synthesis of vanillin and ethyl vanillin; as a flavor enhancer and color-odor stabilizer in beverages, confectionery and baked goods; as a natural antioxidant that prolongs the shelf-life of oils, butter and processed meat; as an antimicrobial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory agent in pharmaceuticals for respiratory infections, dermatological formulations, liver and cardiovascular protection; as a free-radical scavenger added to functional foods, sports drinks and senior nutrition blends; as a metal-chelating probe and biochemical marker in proteomics and mass spectrometry; as a bio-based monomer for producing biodegradable polymers, heat-resistant polyesters and smart packaging films; as a warm-sweet fragrance component in cosmetics, scented candles and personal-care products; as a wood-preserving solvent and mild corrosion inhibitor for metals; as an intermediate for synthesizing PPAR-γ modulators, antidiabetic drugs and anticancer derivatives; as a ligand in electrochemical sensors for detecting H₂O₂, heavy metal ions and catecholamines; as a calibration standard in HPLC and GC-MS quantification of polyphenols; additionally it is exploited in nanotechnology for controlled drug delivery and to impart characteristic notes to sour beers, dark-roasted coffee and fruit wines.

  • Solubility @25˚C

    Solvent Solubility (g/L)
    ethanol 121.35
    methanol 422.27
    isopropanol 65.89
    water 1.79
    ethyl acetate 19.53
    n-propanol 58.93
    acetone 135.41
    n-butanol 41.77
    acetonitrile 34.92
    DMF 363.61
    toluene 3.11
    isobutanol 26.5
    1,4-dioxane 134.0
    methyl acetate 48.74
    THF 207.62
    2-butanone 47.84
    n-pentanol 24.6
    sec-butanol 30.81
    n-hexane 0.69
    ethylene glycol 70.49
    NMP 256.97
    cyclohexane 1.02
    DMSO 497.91
    n-butyl acetate 12.45
    n-octanol 29.41
    chloroform 4.16
    n-propyl acetate 12.6
    acetic acid 60.63
    dichloromethane 21.61
    cyclohexanone 42.99
    propylene glycol 44.07
    isopropyl acetate 11.35
    DMAc 236.44
    2-ethoxyethanol 97.86
    isopentanol 26.2
    n-heptane 2.43
    ethyl formate 27.26
    1,2-dichloroethane 22.25
    n-hexanol 19.11
    2-methoxyethanol 208.79
    isobutyl acetate 5.24
    tetrachloromethane 0.96
    n-pentyl acetate 16.96
    transcutol 135.84
    n-heptanol 22.36
    ethylbenzene 3.92
    MIBK 14.18
    2-propoxyethanol 62.21
    tert-butanol 77.36
    MTBE 26.87
    2-butoxyethanol 51.28
    propionic acid 30.94
    o-xylene 5.95
    formic acid 114.44
    diethyl ether 27.56
    m-xylene 4.8
    p-xylene 5.23
    chlorobenzene 4.68
    dimethyl carbonate 25.26
    n-octane 1.62
    formamide 276.06
    cyclopentanone 97.94
    2-pentanone 26.75
    anisole 21.3
    cyclopentyl methyl ether 33.27
    gamma-butyrolactone 121.34
    1-methoxy-2-propanol 100.87
    pyridine 37.96
    3-pentanone 18.36
    furfural 85.69
    n-dodecane 1.7
    diethylene glycol 80.84
    diisopropyl ether 5.49
    tert-amyl alcohol 41.37
    acetylacetone 37.29
    n-hexadecane 1.87
    acetophenone 22.51
    methyl propionate 30.01
    isopentyl acetate 11.73
    trichloroethylene 22.14
    n-nonanol 27.38
    cyclohexanol 19.68
    benzyl alcohol 22.95
    2-ethylhexanol 11.66
    isooctanol 17.47
    dipropyl ether 15.51
    1,2-dichlorobenzene 6.48
    ethyl lactate 16.96
    propylene carbonate 32.47
    n-methylformamide 165.65
    2-pentanol 18.29
    n-pentane 1.01
    1-propoxy-2-propanol 36.56
    1-methoxy-2-propyl acetate 24.3
    2-(2-methoxypropoxy) propanol 53.09
    mesitylene 4.23
    ε-caprolactone 41.95
    p-cymene 6.24
    epichlorohydrin 125.53
    1,1,1-trichloroethane 4.73
    2-aminoethanol 89.79
    morpholine-4-carbaldehyde 195.69
    sulfolane 174.68
    2,2,4-trimethylpentane 0.84
    2-methyltetrahydrofuran 68.88
    n-hexyl acetate 27.31
    isooctane 0.71
    2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethanol 74.04
    sec-butyl acetate 6.72
    tert-butyl acetate 17.33
    decalin 1.01
    glycerin 85.5
    diglyme 127.55
    acrylic acid 33.86
    isopropyl myristate 12.75
    n-butyric acid 23.31
    acetyl acetate 12.38
    di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate 15.87
    ethyl propionate 11.97
    nitromethane 168.81
    1,2-diethoxyethane 35.86
    benzonitrile 14.79
    trioctyl phosphate 13.32
    1-bromopropane 7.19
    gamma-valerolactone 138.48
    n-decanol 21.31
    triethyl phosphate 11.36
    4-methyl-2-pentanol 10.75
    propionitrile 19.05
    vinylene carbonate 28.33
    1,1,2-trichlorotrifluoroethane 61.03
    DMS 20.0
    cumene 3.9
    2-octanol 15.23
    2-hexanone 15.97
    octyl acetate 18.98
    limonene 8.23
    1,2-dimethoxyethane 121.24
    ethyl orthosilicate 10.67
    tributyl phosphate 11.31
    diacetone alcohol 38.78
    N,N-dimethylaniline 21.29
    acrylonitrile 33.16
    aniline 13.27
    1,3-propanediol 87.53
    bromobenzene 3.48
    dibromomethane 7.68
    1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane 16.34
    2-methyl-cyclohexyl acetate 14.61
    tetrabutyl urea 22.22
    diisobutyl methanol 9.34
    2-phenylethanol 20.87
    styrene 3.92
    dioctyl adipate 21.61
    dimethyl sulfate 53.22
    ethyl butyrate 12.41
    methyl lactate 30.43
    butyl lactate 17.69
    diethyl carbonate 9.52
    propanediol butyl ether 46.3
    triethyl orthoformate 12.32
    p-tert-butyltoluene 6.29
    methyl 4-tert-butylbenzoate 36.92
    morpholine 145.31
    tert-butylamine 27.06
    n-dodecanol 15.87
    dimethoxymethane 153.61
    ethylene carbonate 22.07
    cyrene 62.8
    2-ethoxyethyl acetate 31.55
    2-ethylhexyl acetate 8.6
    1,2,4-trichlorobenzene 9.99
    4-methylpyridine 26.04
    dibutyl ether 16.16
    2,6-dimethyl-4-heptanol 9.34
    DEF 53.85
    dimethyl isosorbide 82.35
    tetrachloroethylene 9.86
    eugenol 37.51
    triacetin 31.9
    span 80 39.21
    1,4-butanediol 37.37
    1,1-dichloroethane 7.22
    2-methyl-1-pentanol 16.89
    methyl formate 114.67
    2-methyl-1-butanol 21.64
    n-decane 2.63
    butyronitrile 15.48
    3,7-dimethyl-1-octanol 17.8
    1-chlorooctane 9.23
    1-chlorotetradecane 4.26
    n-nonane 2.34
    undecane 2.06
    tert-butylcyclohexane 0.95
    cyclooctane 0.73
    cyclopentanol 37.13
    tetrahydropyran 44.61
    tert-amyl methyl ether 20.54
    2,5,8-trioxanonane 99.05
    1-hexene 2.73
    2-isopropoxyethanol 46.15
    2,2,2-trifluoroethanol 28.33
    methyl butyrate 16.47

    Scent© AI

1 4

IFRA standard 51

Recommendation
No restriction
Maximum acceptable concentrations in the finished product (%)
Category 1
Products applied to the lips
 No restriction Category 7A
Rinse-off products applied to the hair with some hand contact
 No restriction
Category 2
Products applied to the axillae
 No restriction Category 7B
Leave-on products applied to the hair with some hand contact
 No restriction
Category 3
Products applied to the face/body using fingertips
 No restriction Category 8
Products with significant anogenital exposure
 No restriction
Category 4
Products related to fine fragrance
 No restriction Category 9
Products with body and hand exposure, primarily rinse off
 No restriction
Category 5A
Body lotion products applied to the body using the hands (palms), primarily leave on
 No restriction Category 10A
Household care products with mostly hand contact
 No restriction
Category 5B
Face moisturizer products applied to the face using the hands (palms), primarily leave on
 No restriction Category 10B
Household care products with mostly hand contact, including aerosol/spray products (with potential leave-on skin contact)
 No restriction
Category 5C
Hand cream products applied to the hands using the hands (palms), primarily leave on
 No restriction Category 11A
Products with intended skin contact but minimal transfer of fragrance to skin from inert substrate without UV exposure
 No restriction
Category 5D
Baby Creams, baby Oils and baby talc
 No restriction Category 11B
Products with intended skin contact but minimal transfer of fragrance to skin from inert substrate with potential UV exposure
 No restriction
Category 6
Products with oral and lip exposure
 No restriction Category 12
Products not intended for direct skin contact, minimal or insignificant transfer to skin
 No restriction

Botanical

Name CAS Botanical Proportion
Vanilla 2 8024-06-4 Vanilla fragrans Ames (V. planifolia Andrews), fam. Orchidaceae 4.0%