Linalyl Acetate-also known as Bergamotol Acetate, or more simply the acetate ester of linalool-is one of the most celebrated and widely used “star” materials in the fragrance world. With the full chemical name 3,7-dimethyl-1,6-octadien-3-yl acetate, it delivers a fresh, sweet breath reminiscent of bergamot peel and lavender in full bloom.
In nature, Linalyl Acetate is a key constituent found at striking levels: 30–60% in bergamot essential oil, 30–60% in lavender essential oil, and up to 75% in clary sage essential oil. It also appears in jasmine and orange blossom (neroli) oils, contributing to the distinctive charm of these noble florals. However, to meet massive demand and ensure consistent quality, modern industry produces Linalyl Acetate at large scale by acetylating linalool-a method that is cost-effective and avoids the seasonal variability of natural essential oils.
Its appearance is pleasantly straightforward: a clear, mobile, colorless liquid with a fresh, softly sweet scent that immediately suggests bergamot, touched by a juicy, pear-like fruitiness, and layered with a clean lavender nuance. Compared with linalool, Linalyl Acetate is noticeably smoother-less sharp, more sweet, and far more rounded.
Description
This material sits in the Citrus – Floral – Herbal family and typically functions from top to mid notes, acting both as a modifier and as a sturdy backbone for the opening of a fragrance. Its intensity is moderate, with good diffusion, but its longevity ranges from poor to moderate-it evaporates much faster than base notes, yet remains more persistent than purely citrus terpenes such as limonene.
Linalyl Acetate is often considered the “soul” of classical fragrance styles such as Eau de Cologne, Fougère, and Chypre. It recreates with near perfection the impression of bergamot, lavender, clary sage, petitgrain, and neroli in an abstracted (and often more controllable) way. It brings natural-feeling freshness and sweetness to the top, softens the harsh edges of other synthetic materials, and helps notes blend more seamlessly.
Some classic pairings perfumers rarely overlook include:
Linalyl Acetate + Linalool – a duo “born in nature” within bergamot and lavender, carefully balanced to create the most realistic lavender or bergamot effect.
Linalyl Acetate + Oakmoss + Coumarin – a timeless trio that forms the backbone of the classic Fougère structure: masculine yet elegant.
Thanks to its easy handling as a liquid and its generally high safety profile, it is often used neat without pre-dilution.
Applications
In fine fragrance, usage can reach 15–25% in formulas for classic colognes. It is also ubiquitous in personal care and household products-soap, shower gel, shampoo, dishwashing liquids, laundry detergents-where it reinforces a clean, fresh aura. It even appears in flavor work to evoke Earl Grey tea, as well as apricot, peach, and pear nuances.
The most important caution point is oxidation. Like linalool and limonene, Linalyl Acetate can form hydroperoxides after prolonged exposure to air, light, and heat-one of the main drivers behind skin irritation and sensitization. Proper storage is therefore critical: keep containers tightly closed, in dark packaging, in a cool place, and it is commonly stabilized with antioxidants such as BHT or tocopherol. IFRA does not impose a strict concentration cap on Linalyl Acetate itself, but it does emphasize tight control of the peroxide value (often below 20 mmol/L) for safety.
Linalyl Acetate appears in countless icons: 4711 Original Eau de Cologne with its classic freshness; Jicky (Guerlain), a foundational Fougère; Brut (Fabergé) with its bold masculinity; and even the instantly recognizable signature taste of Earl Grey tea.
As Steffen Arctander wrote in Perfume and Flavor Chemicals: “Colorless liquid… Sweet, floral-fruity odor, reminiscent of Bergamot and Pear. It is less sharp than Linalool, but sweeter and ‘softer’… Linalyl acetate is one of the most frequently used perfume chemicals. It is an essential constituent of Bergamot, Lavender, Lavandin, Clary Sage, Petitgrain, Neroli… and blends well with most known perfume materials.” Its ubiquity-and its ability to soften and brighten compositions-has made Linalyl Acetate an indispensable companion for perfumers for well over a century.
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