Anisyl Alcohol

ANISYL ALCOHOL (CAS 105-13-5) Overview

• 🔎 Chemical name — p-Methoxybenzyl alcohol, 4-Methoxybenzyl alcohol (C₈H₁₀O₂)

• 📂 CAS N° — 105-13-5

• 📘 FEMA — 2094

• 📖 EINECS: 203-278-4

• 📝 Odor type — Floral, Balsamic

• 📈 Odor Strength — soft, creamy

• 👃🏼 Odor Profile — Sweet, mild, floral, slightly balsamic, with heliotrope and almond nuances

• 👁️ Appearance — Colorless to pale yellow liquid or crystalline solid (depending on temperature)

• ⚗️ Uses — Anisyl Alcohol is used to soften floral compositions, especially heliotrope, lilac, and mimosa accords. Ideal for powdery and creamy effects in perfumes, soaps, and cosmetic fragrances thanks to its stability and gentle balsamic-floral scent.

Historical Context

Anisyl alcohol belongs to a family of aromatic alcohols with a soft, floral, and slightly balsamic odor profile. Its roots in perfumery trace back to the early 20th century, when interest in anisic and benzylic derivatives emerged in the search for warm, powdery-floral nuances that could enhance heliotrope, lilac, and mimosa compositions. It was often featured in cosmetic products and toilet waters for its gentle scent and softening effect (Sell, 2019).

Discovery and First Synthesis

Anisyl alcohol is not widely abundant in nature but occurs in trace amounts in some floral essential oils, such as those from Pimpinella anisum and Heliotropium. Its synthetic production, however, became common by the early 1900s.

The compound can be synthesized via reduction of anisaldehyde (4-methoxybenzaldehyde), typically using catalytic hydrogenation or metal-based reducing agents (Smith et al., 2006). This straightforward route provides a high-yield, cost-effective method, widely used in fragrance production.

First Uses

Anisyl alcohol was initially used in perfumery to replicate and expand on the warm-floral effects of heliotrope and mimosa. It found a place in violet and lilac accords, thanks to its soft character and mild sweetness. It was also used in soap fragrances and toiletries for its stability and low volatility (Arctander, 1960).

Olfactory Profile

• Odor Description: Sweet, mild, floral, slightly balsamic, with heliotrope and almond nuances

• Volatility: Base to mid-base note

• Tenacity: Moderate to good

• Perception: Often described as soft, creamy, and round—ideal for floral diffusions

According to Arctander (1960), it is “an excellent blender in delicate flower bases” and especially effective in soap and cosmetic fragrances.

Applications in Perfumery

Anisyl alcohol is prized for:

• Heliotrope and mimosa accords

• Lilac and almond-type florals

• Powdery blends

• Softening floral compositions without overpowering brightness

• Use in soap, skin creams, and bath products due to its good stability

It is often combined with anisaldehyde, benzyl salicylate, and coumarin to amplify warmth and creaminess.

IFRA Status and Safety Considerations

• IFRA Status: Not currently restricted under IFRA Amendment 51

• Safety:

  • Considered to have low sensitization potential

  • Mild irritant at high concentrations

  • Listed as GRAS by FEMA for use in flavorings (Burdock, 2010)

Regulatory Note: No EU allergen labeling is required under Regulation No. 1223/2009.

Flash point ~131 °C, non-flammable in typical fragrance use.

Environmental & Sustainability Aspects

Anisyl alcohol is considered readily biodegradable and low in ecotoxicity (ECHA, 2024). It is typically synthesized from relatively inexpensive petrochemical sources, but ongoing research into lignin-derived precursors has increased the potential for bio-based versions.

References

• Arctander, S. (1960). Perfume and Flavor Chemicals (Aroma Chemicals). Montclair, NJ: Author.

• Burdock, G. A. (2010). Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients (6th ed.). CRC Press.

• ECHA. (2024). Anisyl alcohol – Substance Information. European Chemicals Agency. Retrieved from https://echa.europa.eu

• Sell, C. S. (2019). The Chemistry of Fragrances (3rd ed.). Royal Society of Chemistry.

• Smith, B., March, J., & Carey, F. A. (2006). March’s Advanced Organic Chemistry (6th ed.). Wiley-Interscience.