Phenyl Acetaldehyde Dimethyl Acetal PADMA Aroma Chemical
CAS# 101-48-4

Phenyl Acetaldehyde Dimethyl Acetal, commonly known by the abbreviation PADMA or the trade name Viridine, is a synthetic ingredient that plays an important role in the fragrance industry. It was introduced in the mid-20th century to address the instability of Phenylacetaldehyde, a material with a very beautiful odor but a strong tendency to polymerize. By converting it into its acetal form, chemists created a material that preserves its vivid green note while remaining highly stable in alkaline environments. In its physical form, PADMA is a clear, colorless liquid belonging to the green fragrance family, with a floral-green character.

Description

Its scent is sharp and fresh, reminiscent of rose leaves and hyacinth, interwoven with earthy and mushroom-like nuances. Functioning from the top note to the middle note range and serving as an effective modifier, this ingredient has strong odor impact, very good diffusion, and moderate substantivity, lasting from 24 to 48 hours on a blotter. In fragrance compositions, it helps build hyacinth, lily-of-the-valley, and rose-leaf notes, while also enhancing freshness and bringing a more natural realism to the overall accord. Perfumers often combine it with Phenyl Ethyl Alcohol, Geraniol, Citronellol, Galbanum, and Benzyl Acetate to create lush green floral accords. Because of its strong odor intensity, it is often diluted in DPG to make dosage control easier.

Applications

In terms of applications, this ingredient is widely used in fine fragrance, scented candles, leave-on cosmetics, rinse-off products, and is especially favored in soap and laundry detergents because of its excellent stability. Unlike the parent aldehyde, PADMA is considered much safer and is not subject to strict IFRA restrictions for toxicity, allowing flexible use typically at levels ranging from 0.1% to 5%. Users generally do not need to be concerned about severe allergy risk, phototoxicity, or mandatory allergen labeling requirements in Europe. However, storage still requires care: it should be kept tightly sealed, stored in a cool, dry place, and especially protected from highly acidic environments to prevent reverse hydrolysis. Many green floral perfumes and hyacinth-themed bath soap products make use of this material. Its value was ultimately affirmed in Perfume and Flavor Chemicals, where expert Steffen Arctander described Phenylacetaldehyde dimethyl acetal as having a powerful green odor with earthy and sweet floral undertones reminiscent of rose leaves. He emphasized its superior stability in soap compared with phenylacetaldehyde and also noted its broad usefulness in creating green notes for floral fragrance bases.