Cinnamyl Alcohol Aroma Chemical
CAS# 104-54-1

Entering the fragrant world of compounding artistry, Cinnamyl Alcohol has long shone like a gemstone carrying the breath of time. Known by its chemical name 3-Phenyl-2-propen-1-ol-and also called Cinnamic Alcohol or Styryl Carbinol-this material forms a beautiful bridge between nature and science. In nature, it is found mainly in ester form, such as Cinnamyl Cinnamate, within benzoin (Styrax) resin, Peru balsam, cinnamon leaf essential oil, and the delicate blossoms of narcissus. However, to meet the industry’s vast demand, it is produced primarily by synthetic methods, typically via reduction of cinnamaldehyde, the principal constituent of cinnamon bark oil. This elegant transformation removes the aldehyde’s pronounced irritancy, yielding a version that is notably smoother and more stable.

At room temperature, the material often appears as white crystalline solid or a pale-yellow, viscous liquid, because its melting point is relatively low-around 33 °C-so it readily liquefies in warm weather. Historically, Cinnamyl Alcohol was intertwined with balsamic resins in ancient perfumery rituals; yet it was not until the 19th century, when successful synthesis and isolation in pure form became possible, that perfumers were truly “unbound.” They could then work with this warm note freely, no longer constrained by the dark color or thick, sticky viscosity of natural resins.

Description

Belonging to the floral, balsamic resin, and spice families, Cinnamyl Alcohol proudly spans the role of mid-note to base-note, while also serving as a skilled fixative and odor modifier. Its olfactory portrait is a refined fusion: warm and sweet in a balsamic way, yet opening into a graceful floral character. Completely unlike the sharp, biting pungency of cinnamaldehyde, it caresses the nose with a soft, velvety smoothness, carrying a faint powdery nuance and strongly evoking hyacinth, rose, and a whisper of cinnamon in the gentlest form.

While its diffusion is only moderate and never harsh, its tenacity is excellent, acting like a reliable anchor that holds fragile floral notes in place. In composition, it is a core “soul” material for constructing hyacinth, muguet (lily-of-the-valley), and lilac accords. It is also indispensable in Oriental structures, building a warm, sweet base without stinging the nose, and skillfully rounding off the rough edges of spices or woods. Paired with phenylacetaldehyde, it can recreate a hyacinth bloom with startling realism. Set beside rose alcohols such as citronellol or geraniol, the duo weaves a warm, classic, full-bodied rose impression. Even more, blended with vanillin or coumarin, it immediately forms an alluring sweet-powdery base for Oriental fragrances. Because it can exist as crystals or a thick semi-liquid, artisans often gently warm it or pre-dilute it in dedicated solvents such as DEP or DPG for easier handling.

Applications

Thanks to its remarkable versatility, Cinnamyl Alcohol appears widely across classic floral perfumes, Oriental styles, and even Chypre. Its influence extends strongly into bar soap and detergents, supported by its excellent alkali stability, strong fixation, and highly practical cost. In cosmetics, it finds its way into creams and shower gels, and it also crosses into food as a flavoring that can suggest apricot, peach, or a gentle spiced nuance.

Even so, using this material calls for strict caution due to its skin sensitization potential, which has led to very stringent IFRA limitations. In particular, the maximum allowed level in Category 4 fine fragrance is often only around 0.2% to 0.6%. Cinnamyl Alcohol is also among the 26 fragrance allergens that must be declared on labels in Europe when concentrations exceed 0.001% in leave-on products or 0.01% in rinse-off products. Cross-reactivity is also frequently observed: people allergic to Peru balsam are very likely to be sensitive to this material as well. To protect its full olfactory integrity, it should be stored cool and away from direct light to minimize oxidation.

Cinnamyl Alcohol helps create the warm floral-spiced character of carnation in Nina Ricci L’Air du Temps, contributes to the Oriental spice of Estée Lauder Youth Dew, and weaves the mysterious balsamic foundation of the original YSL Opium.

Finally, the value of this material was distilled by Steffen Arctander in Monograph No. 646, Volume I of his book published in 1969. Under the name Cinnamic Alcohol, he described it as a warm balsamic odor with a sweet floral taste, exceptionally tenacious, and of moderate diffusion. To his nose, the floral aspects recalled hyacinth and tuberose. He emphasized its extremely broad use in perfumery-including soap perfumes-as an outstanding blender and modifier, noting that it forms an important part of hyacinth odor and blends beautifully with macrocyclic musks, isoeugenol, and cinnamaldehyde.