Isobornyl Acetate

Profile:

• 📂 CAS N° 125-12-2

• ⚖️ MW — 196.29 g/mol

• 📝 Odor Type — Fresh

• 📈 Odor Strength — medium, about 8 hours on the strip (pure)

• 👃🏼 Odor Profile — Fresh, dirty Borneol, woody, and dry Amber facet.

• 👅 Flavor Profile — Woody, camphoraceous, terpy and piney with a spicy, herbal and slightly citrus nuance.

• ⚗️ Uses — Very widely used in pine-type fragrances, this material will also blend effectively with coumarin and amyl salicylate to give a walk-in-the-forest type effect. Adding terpinyl acetate or nopyl acetate to that mix enables it to be used to give a simple Fougère accord or form part of a more complex Fougère fragrance. Isobornyl acetate is also used to lighten and brighten herbal accords. Safety in use: 30% in fragrance concentrate.

Overview of Isobornyl Acetate

Description and Uses

Isobornyl acetate, an organic compound with the chemical formula C₁₂H₂₀O₂, is known for its pleasant, camphor-like odor reminiscent of pine needles and hemlock, with a fresh, burning taste. It is extensively used in the fragrance industry for its woody scent, which makes it a valuable ingredient in perfumes, cosmetics, soaps, bath products, and air fresheners. Additionally, it is naturally found in various essential oils such as those from Abies sibirica (Siberian fir), thymus, rosemary, and Ocimum basilicum (basil) (Arctander, 1961; ChemicalBook).

Synthesis

The synthesis of isobornyl acetate can be achieved through several methods. It is often prepared by treating camphene with acetic acid in the presence of a strong acidic catalyst, such as sulfuric acid. Another method involves the acetylation of isoborneol. These processes yield a colorless to pale straw-colored liquid that is optically inactive in its commercial form (ChemicalBook).

Chemical Properties

Isobornyl acetate has a molecular weight of 196.29 g/mol and appears as a colorless liquid with a density of approximately 0.9841 g/cm³. It has a boiling point of 227°C and is soluble in most fixed oils and mineral oil but insoluble in glycerol and water. This compound is highly volatile and combustible, requiring careful handling to avoid fire hazards (Arctander, 1961; ChemicalBook).

Regulatory Status

Isobornyl acetate is approved for use in food and beverages under specific regulations. According to the Council of Europe (CoE) standards, it can be used in beverages at 0.1 ppm and in food at 5 ppm. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lists it under 21 CFR 172.515, allowing its use as a flavoring agent. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has concluded that it is safe at current intake levels when used as a flavoring agent (Burdock, 2010).

Applications and Consumption

This compound is used in various food products such as baked goods, frozen dairy desserts, and gelatins/puddings. Its annual consumption is about 750 pounds, with an individual daily intake of 0.0006355 mg/kg. Besides its role in the food industry, isobornyl acetate is also employed in perfumes for soaps, detergents, liquid cleaners, and hair preparations due to its excellent blending properties with other fragrance materials (Arctander, 1961; Burdock, 2010).

Additional Uses and Properties

Isobornyl acetate is utilized as an intermediate in the production of camphor. It has also been studied for its potential antimicrobial properties, showing effectiveness against a range of microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi. This makes it a candidate for use as an antimicrobial agent in various applications (ChemicalBook).

Toxicity and Safety

Generally, isobornyl acetate is considered non-toxic, although high concentrations may cause irritation and sensitization reactions. Its primary safety concern is its flammability, necessitating appropriate safety measures to prevent fire hazards. Despite these concerns, the compound is not deemed toxic to the skin or respiratory system under normal conditions of use (ChemicalBook).

References

• Arctander, S. (1961). Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin.

• Burdock, G. A. (2010). Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients - 6th Edition.

• ChemicalBook. (n.d.). Isobornyl acetate: properties, applications, and toxicity.

• Wikipedia. (n.d.). Isobornyl acetate. Retrieved from Wikipedia.